Joe (2014)

Excellent but underrated film

A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan are amazing in here. Cage should stick to this kind of cinema.

A truly impressive American rural story set in the South where you would never believe life could be so tough. Much of the supporting cast were non-professional actors but they are vivid and authentic. It's difficult to take one's eyes off him also due to Cage's character, a very intense and unpredictable presence, with excellent acting. Joe is a gripping drama with a powerful moral core, that has sympathy for those trying to make their way alone in the (bad..)world, but doesn't give them much of a chance. Friendship and hard work are its characters' only paths to redemption, which seems to arrive for the guy but not for Joe.

Yes the acting is very good and there are quirky characters. If you think that everyday life on the tough side of town is nothing special and not worth spending 2 hours watching it in a movie, like I do, then you will be bored by this film too. There is barely a plot and what there is doesn't even make sense. Hated the ending too, mostly because it made the least sense. One minute the lazy dirtbag kills a hobo for $2, something he has obviously been doing with no regrets for 20 or 30 years, the next he minute he willingly kills himself when under no threat. Yep, totally believable. I guess they want you to think that he instantly developed a conscience after being a total asshole for most of his life. And he couldn't just start being nice, but had to completely give up in an instant, sorry guys, not buying it. You can hang out at a homeless shelter for free if this kind of behavior is something that you consider entertaining.

Joe depicts some of the impacts of child abuse in a somewhat amusing (but serious) manner. However, it feels as if it is constantly trying to strive for its climax, making it quite boring until things actually become interesting. But when things kick off, they kick off, and the remaining of the second half of the film is quite good. Nicholas Cage surprisingly does a fantastic job in this film, despite his resume, and does a tough job to keep this film floating on a sinking ship. If you can battle through the first hour or so you will find light at the end of the tunnel. However, you can't excuse what could have been a much better opening. You feel as if the somber first act is being too pretentious in its goals, but it pays off somewhat in its closing act.