Joe marks the return of Nicolas Cage (Joe) as a talented actor on the big screen. And director David Gordon Green redeems himself with this movie more in line with his first ones contrary to his most recent ones ” Your Highness ” or ” Pineapple Express ” that are good movies but do not shine by their creative directing.
Thus, already two good reasons to go and see the movie, adding to this the excellent Tye Sheridan (Gary) already in the cast of «Tree of Life” by Terrence Malick and «Mud «by Jeff Nichols. Two directors who have significantly influenced Green. In fact, Green is even called “Malick’s spiritual son”. This is reflected in the landscape cutaways present in this film. And Nichols is a friend of Green and we must admit that “Joe” is very reminiscent of «Mud “. Tye Sheridan is therefore, very at ease in this universe of Texas, the deep south where misery is everywhere. The directing is like those great directors’ one, poetic, precise, full of grace. There are creative shots like when Tye Sheridan’s character pushes the camera as if it says «move along there is nothing to see here!” and transitions as crossfades whose superposition of images last for a minute.
Most cast members are beginners like Gary Coulter who plays the father of Gary. He has so much charisma. Actually, he was also homeless before the movie and could not see it finished because he passed shortly after filming. He even got the role prior to some Hollywood famous actors. This tells you how good the actors’ performance is in this movie.
The screenplay is nothing crazy original; this is the story of a guy who had somewhat a hard life (you don’t get to know more) and who recognizes himself in a teenager and will try to save him at all costs. Nonetheless, the film lacks of rhythm sometimes and can be predictable. That is said, the second part of the film becomes more intense and violent! Better have a strong stomach! This is a movie relying on an atmosphere in which one must immerse himself to really like it.
But the intensity of Cage’s performance, the candor of Sheridan and the directing by Green saves everything.
A film filled with talent!
