Joe (2013): A Real Film in All the Best Ways [Joey’s Review]
In the midst of a stretch of straight-to-DVD films that vary wildly in quality, JOE stands out as a shining example of the type of performance that the right director can get out of Nicolas Cage when the stars line up. There’s a life to this film that we haven’t seen since BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS, and the film creates a world that almost feels a little too real. It all adds up to one of the best and most exciting films in the back half of Cage’s career, if not his entire career.
Joe is able to get its “Badge of Realness” by blending actors with the real world. Director David Gordon Green found Gary Poulter, a homeless man (potentially homeless actor?), that fit one of the film’s main roles, and cast him in the part. While he’s “acting,” it’s more that he’s somewhat living (a version of) his real life on screen. He’s also terrific in the part, and he works in a way that “casting up” to an aged Hollywood star (Mike mentions Pacino on the podcast) wouldn’t have been as effective. You’re able to completely lose yourself in his performance, because you don’t know him. You don’t have a history of acting baggage there. You don’t have to think, “Okay, this isn’t Michael Corleone” or “This isn’t Scarface” or “This isn’t the ‘HOO-AH!’ guy.” You’re able to sit back and appreciate the nuanced performance of someone you’ve never seen before.
David Gordon Green also features real day-workers in his film, lending another level of authenticity to the piece. As mundane as it sounds, I could watch them teach people how to do what they’re doing for hours, and just hearing their banter is fascinating. It feels less that David Gordon Green directed this scene as it feels like he just set up a camera and captured a part of their daily routine… a routine that just so happened to feature Nicolas Cage on this day.
And Cage is tremendous in this film. I don’t want to undersell his performance by talking about other actors or elements and leaving him out. Since the very beginning of his career, we’ve talked about how effortless it seems it is for him to just insert himself into any part, any location, any time period. It’s the same thing here. Cage just works as a fixture in this small town — a town you get the sense he’s never really left. He knows everyone, everyone knows him, and he’s just doing this thing. At a time in his career where he’s being dealt so many sub-par scripts, or one could argue he’s sort of mailing in performances (just wait until the next film!), he leaves it all on the table here. Joe is not only one of the best films of his career, but one of his best roles, too.
Cage isn’t the only trained actor who’s doing a great job here, though. Tye Sheridan, who is on his way to superstardom, absolutely crushes it as Gary Jones, son to Poulter’s character and boy in desperate search of a true father figure, is so-so-so good here. His first three acting roles were THE TREE OF LIFE, MUD, and JOE. As quick as it was for Cage to star in great films and start giving amazing performances, this indie trilogy is able to stand up to the likes of BEST OF TIMES, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, and VALLEY GIRL. I’m very much looking forward to doing a Tye Sheridan podcast in 20 years when he’s got enough acting work under his belt.
I don’t know what else there is to say about Joe. This movie fires on all cylinders and is a treat to watch. It also packs a punch, so get ready to feel emotions! Go see this movie. It’s one of Cage’s five or ten best films. I just hope it’s not his last great one.
How can I watch it? You can stream it for free if you have Amazon Prime! What are you waiting for?
What’s up next? We’ve got RAGE, which was formerly titled TOKAREV. Will a name change be enough to salvage this straight-to-DVD flick? We’ll find out!
