Review of Joe (2014) by James S — 27 Apr 2014

Nicolas Cage is a perennial figure in Hollywood and someone who creates very mixed feelings amongst audiences. He has turned in performances that garnered him awards, including an oscar but also numerous razzies. A career that varies and skews from dramatic character pieces, Leaving Las Vegas, to violently appalling trash cinema, Ghost Rider, Bad Lieutenant for example most link it to his erratic personal life but in Joe, Cage is back on form.

Delivering a turn on-screen that rivals some of his best work, Cage is constantly on edge and simmering to a boil as Joe. He plays a simple man just looking to work and live out his life until he meets 15-year-old Gary. A teenager who is looking for work but is being physically and mentally abused by his drunken father at every turn. Not only does Joe have to contend with this but also his own personal demons. As the story progresses Joe descends into a raging torrent of anger against anyone who aims to hurt him or Gary as he becomes a reluctant father figure.

Joe is a surprisingly dark film to come from the director of Pineapple Express and Your Highness, in what appears to be a career shift, David Gordon Green preceded this with the ultra low-budget indie Prince Avalanche starring Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch. Green's career has been leading up to this point, after directing big budget Hollywood films he has decided to go back to his roots with the experience he has gained. Showing a real penchant for story telling, Green has fashioned a dark human drama that is centered around family abuse and revenge. Dripping with atmosphere and gripping from beginning to end, this character study of good vs evil truly triumphs in its pacing and ability to let the actors shine. The abusive father Wade, played by the homeless man turned actor Gary Poulter, is immense. Every second he is on-screen makes you squirm in your seat as you wait for whatever crazy act he will commit next. An uncompromising figure, he is instrumental in the story and someone who changes both Gary and Joe's lives.

Summary.

Joe is one of the best films to be released so far this year. Cage elevates himself back into the limelight and this will no doubt propel David Gordon Green's career even further. A director to look out for and a film not to be ignored.