JOE (2014)

Directed By: David Gordon Green 
Written By: Gary Hawkins 
Based on the novel by: Larry Brown 
Cinematography By: Tim Orr 
Editor: Colin Patton 

 Cast: Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Gary Poulter, Ronnie Gene Blevens, Adriene Mishler, Brian Mays

This is the new Nicolas cage movie

The film just came out an while I has been getting a bunch of critical buzz. Despite that the film is hardly being seen at the box office. I implore you to see it. That's right this is another positive review for the film.

It seems as of late Nicolas Cage has gotten back to his roots of taking more serious and quirky character roles. Still being the star, but giving more grounded performances. That might be one of the reasons audiences avoid him. For one he has starred in a bunch of bad blockbusters where he have weak performances that were more on the quirky side with his trademarks. Usually that was the only thing you could count on in his films wee the quirky trademarks. Soon the budgets of his films got smaller, but still the same bad quality. Then every once in awhile he would make a worthwhile project and give a good performance, but that goodwill had already passed and audiences were over him. Which is a shame as these films were decent. THE WEATHER MAN, BAD LIEUTENANT: PORT OF CALL NEW ORLEANS, FROZEN GROUND. I can't vouch for the quality of each film, but his performances were strong in each film. Now I can understand an audiences reluctance to paying to watch these films as just like his performances he is Unpredictable and if he is giving more restrained performances his trademark is gone. So even if you don't like the film you could always count on that to get your money's worth kinda. Then t was like the film is by to my liking and he is restrained. What good is this? Now I am here to say this film is definitely worth seeing and though restrained cage Ives a powerhouse performance. Where the restrictions he sets for himself work out for the film.

This is a film that is hard to exactly define. As t takes it's time to introduce itself to you. When the film starts off you aren't exactly sure what is happening or where it is going and after awhile it starts and communicates with you the story it is telling. Soon you get in tone with it's rhythm and melodies.

I am not going to our this is a hard film, gritty and rough. The characters are set where they are an it's dirty. Though they are all straight shooters. With a certain toughness all about them. They don't try to be liked, though some of them you can't help it they are that genuine and charismatic.

The film is always Unpredictable violence happens at a moments notice at times and with no warning. Also no rhyme or reason. The characters are set and molded. Though as the film goes on they go from sketches to getting fully colored in so that you being to know exactly who they are and who we are dealing with.

Nicolas cage does his best as a man who tries to stay restrained from the rage that beats underneath him that has been trained in him from prison. He is a man of vices that he uses to sedate himself at times put out the fire before it explodes and you can feel this in every over of cage's performance.

The film's use on mostly non-actors gives he film a certain flavor that not uses to it's benefit making it feel more grounded in reality and knowing that you won't get a typical stylized performance. You have a hint that Thai isn't a performance for the actors, but more a glimpse I to themselves and their day to day lives.

Gary Poulter, who plays the part of Wade the father a.k.a. G-Daawg was a homeless man given the role by director David Gordon Green, who often casts locals in his movies. Poulter died on the streets of Austin a couple of months after filming stopped. This isn't a depressing film, but it I a sad film. Where despair hangs over it. Yet allows for occasional glimpses of sunshine. It gets brutal a few times though no sickening. Only through the behavior of certain characters does it get that way.

It's a film that is matter of fact and unflinching then it is subtle. Which when it comes down to it describes the characters. Only one is truly evil. The others are shades of both except a few who are innocent and either need to learn to get tougher or need a protector. Though as the film teaches us. Protection can only be there for a limited time sooner or later you have to find a way out, protect yourself or eliminate the problem.

In a way this is a brutal coming of age story. Filled with harsh truths, As we watch the Main character other then Joe learn the lessons of life for his own upbringing and Joe trying to be a mentor of sorts. Though he know he can barely keep his own personal demons at bay and usually uses vices to keep them repressed, He is trying to teach him not to be like him and learn from his mistakes. How to take care of himself and provide a little happiness and joy in his life. You can also see this as a modern western of sorts heading to an ending that will somehow result in a showdown. a battle between desperados and gunfighters. No men of the law here and everyone is wearing black.

This is a return to form for director David Gordon Green. Going back more to his abstract indie southern roots after a string of studio comedies that prove he has the range and talent in his directing and writing skills. Thankfully it is a welcome return and he still has the vision he began with, Not diluted by his Hollywood forays. So it is also somewhat of a comeback for him also.

This film feels like it would have been at home More in The 70's or 80's. it's a familiar story we have seen before, but the way it is told and experienced here feels fresh and new.

 Grade: B