Review of Joshua (2006) by Timothy S — 07 Jan 2012

It's rare when my opinion of a movie makes a complete 360 while I'm watching it, but that was definitely the case with "Joshua". For the first half hour of this film I didn't see the forest for the trees, but I quickly learned to appreciate the quirks and subtlety of this beautiful-looking movies that does something that's practically unheard of these days. It takes its time telling its story.

Things unfold naturally, and you never quite know what's happening until the final frame. It's a complete joy sitting down to watch a movie that doesn't give all of its secrets away too soon and that hasn't been marketed to death with endless trailers. The leads are solid with two of the best actors working today who aren't yet household names. It's terrific watching Sam Rockwell slowly come to realize what's going on under his own roof, and Vera Farmiga is completely believable as she descends into madness.

But perhaps even more impressive is newcomer Jacob Kogan in the title role. It would be real easy to go over the top in the role, but he plays it all cool and creepy all the way through and shows a restraint and a maturity far beyond his years. In fact, those qualities are shared by the young actor and the film itself.

High profile similar films like "The Good Son" go for the easy shocks. There's very little violence here, but that only makes it all the more effective when it happens. When Rockwell explodes near the film's end, it's jaw-dropping. And the final moment of "Joshua" will leave you speechless. Don't give up on this one too soon.