Joe (2014)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Awesome Movie

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

JOE is a slow-burning drama/thriller about the unlikely relationship between a former convict going straight and a teenage boy from a troubled family. The former employs the latter in his forest clearing operation and the film subsequently charts their trials and tribulations in a realistic, downbeat world.Those expecting another vehicle for a slumming-it Nicolas Cage will be pleasantly surprised by the actor here as he gives his best and most authentic performance in ages. He's well matched by the youthful Tye Sheridan, who will surely go on to greatness following his authentic and sympathetic performance here. The film has much in common with the likes of THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES and MUD in depicting gritty realism and harsh but fair characterisation, and it's far better than the latter picture for example.The story keeps you watching and throws in some occasional unexpected and graphic violence to keep you on your feet. Things build to an effective climax but there are some great scenes paced throughout, like the bit where Cage is chased by the cops and confronts them. Add in some really nasty supporting characters and a memorably kooky turn from real-life homeless actor Gary Poulter, and you have a thoroughly interesting little movie.

A real-life quote from Gary Poulter : The script called for somebody that looked like "An old man, alcoholic, prone to violence, who looked like the aftermath of a human disaster." My first day of shooting when I went to hair and make up. I asked the woman "Bridgette" "Do you need to do anything with my appearance?" She said "No you're good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" LOL.After seeing "Outcast", "Tokarev" and "The Runner", I wondered which movie it was where Nicolas Cage once more excelled in, before his career went downhill. And I can say with certainty that "Joe" is his last achievement before his acting went down the drain. This film proves what he's capable of and once again demonstrates his brilliant acting talent. It's not "Leaving Las Vegas" (but close) and there won't be an Oscar nomination now. But it surely was impressive. It's a depressing and dramatic spectacle about marginalized persons who have to deal with poverty, unemployment, alcoholism and abuse. What's even sadder is the fact that a few months after filming Gary Poulter, a homeless alcoholic who plays the role of the aggressive and usually drunk father Wade in a magnificent and wonderful way, was found dead.It's been a long time I've seen such a dark and depressing film. I think it's since "Tyrannosaur" that I felt shaken up after witnessing so much sorrow. A film full of alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Family circumstances resulting in a tragic outcome. That's what the self-assured Gary (Tye Sheridan) experiences on a daily base. A hopeless battle between him and his aggressive father Wade, who is unable to support a family because of an uncontrollable craving for alcohol. Even Gary's hard-earned money isn't safe. Money earned by working for Joe (Nicolas Cage). Joe is an ex-con who has trouble with extreme bursts of rage. And it's money that's required to support the rest of the family.Nicolas Cage is in his element in this film. An explosive cocktail of all sorts of human emotions. A perfectly played role that perfectly suits Cage. Once again proof that Cage is able to show great things. As long as he gets an appropriate role. He himself is an overflowing barrel full of aggression. A person with a short fuse and with a stately lumberjack beard. At the same time he tries to be a father figure for Gary. He takes him under his wing and gives him a job. Gary is played in an excellent manner by Tye Sheridan who had a similar role in "Mud". But Gary Poulter is without a doubt the star in this film. A feat that can not be matched by even the most seasoned and talented actor. Just because the guy is not acting here. He just plays his daily life. The irresistible craving for alcohol that causes such an individual to behave in an inhumane manner towards his neighbors, strangers and finally himself. The disgusting behavior of Wade in the end is incomprehensible for any sane person."Joe" is a masterpiece, despite its slow pace and dark atmosphere. An example of pure cinema and a delight to watch. Not that it's relaxing cinema. You definitely won't feel happy afterwards. It really is a film that grabs you by your throat and won't let you go. A terrible story oozing with physical and psychological abuse that won't leave you untouched. But fortunately, this movie was also a confirmation that Cage is a superb actor. I hope to see more of that in the future. More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

In this remake of a 1970 film by the same name, Nicholas Cage plays Joe, an ex-con and unlikely hero to a fifteen year old boy. The story is called Joe, and you'll figure out why by the end, but to be honest, I saw this film more as a coming of age story, with the majority of the focus on Gary (Tye Sheridan). Gary's family is difficult to say the least, both his parents are drug addicts, and it's up to him to earn a living to support his sister. One day while out in the woods, he comes across Joe, a man who owns a lumber company and persuades him to give him a job. Gary is a hard worker who comes to see his boss as more of a father figure than his own father, and when things get bad, he's turns to Joe for help. Joe is no saint though, as he has his own criminal past and is reluctant to get involved. This is one of these really dark, slow moving dramas, where everything may or may not be important to the story. The real action is spaced out, but when something happens, the intensity is off the charts. This film is very similar to, Winter's Bone, which also had a young lead trying to save her siblings. While Tye Sheridan is not Jennifer Lawrence, his more quiet demeanor makes him more likable in the eyes of the viewer. Sheridan is a kid who came out of nowhere to star in the independent film, Mud, and since then has become known for making these super dark, intense films, where he plays a quiet, reserved character that one can't help but root for. Nicholas Cage is equally as good in a role that is more dramatic than most of things he's done lately. That being said, Cage still has it and together with Sheridan make for one of the most interesting and unique films I've seen all year. The story and even the trailer seem to be a little dull, most people will look at this film and see it as too slow and dramatic, and at first, I thought so too, but as the film progresses it just gets better and better, ascending to the level of a must see movie.

I so appreciate it when a film comes out that is a good one for guys - good old Baby Boomer guys and not some politically correct metro-sexual crap. That is why I generally like Matt McConaghey films as well.This film is a superb character story, plain and simple. All of the roles are played to perfection. The pathos of those characters is so real it is gut-wrenching too. The abused wife syndrome; the boy who, despite a troll of a father, still loves him and holds out hope for his family. Of particular note too, which no other reviewer seems to mention are the guys who work on Cage's tree killing crew. Great. All of them. And I will not, like so many reviewers have, attempt to show my superior intelligence by pointing out that the guy who played the dad is dead and was homeless. I did not know that and do not really care. He played a good part though.I did not, however, really get into the silly feud with Joe and the guy who shot him at the beginning. Why didn't THAT guy go to jail if Joe is so friendly with the police chief? And why did the guy have the guts to keep getting up in Joe's face since he apparently was not that hard to beat down - even by a kid?I was kind of rooting for Joe to be alive in the end but I guess that was too much to ask. Still, a top-notch flick and like I said, a great man's movie. I liked Mud too by the way and almost anything lately by McConaghey. The kid who plays in this is super too and I look forward to seeing more of him. He kind of reminds me of the fine work the late Brad Renfro used to do and it would have been nice to see how he would have matured as well.