Joe

Movie Title--  Joe

Release Year--  2013

Running Time--  1 Hour and 57 Minutes

Director--  David Gordon Green

Cast--  Nicholas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Gary Poulter, Adriene Mishler, Anna Niemtschk

An ex-con becomes a role model for a teenage boy.

Joe (Nicholas Cage) is an ex-con that does his job while doing his best to stay out of trouble.  When he meets Gary (Tye Sheridan), a down on his luck teenage boy that is looking for a job for himself and his father, Joe gives him a job, telling him that he will have to work hard.  When Gary and his father Wade (Gary Poulter) show up for work, Gary works while his father spends the day doing the least amount of work he can get by with.  When Joe takes Gary and Wade home, Joe witnesses Wade knock Gary down and take his money.  

It doesn't take long for Joe and Gary to strike up a friendship.  Gary looks up to Joe as a friend and father figure and Joe becomes very protective of Gary.  When Gary comes to Joe after Wade beats him up, steals his truck and kidnaps his sister, Joe must decide between his redemption or his ruin.

I hated this film.  I thought that the film looked very interesting but once I sat though the film, I realized that the only good parts of the film were portrayed in the trailer.  The main story is an ex-con befriends a teenage boy that has had a hard life and becomes his protector.  It is a really good concept but it seems to be muddled by the filler that was added to try to make some kind of background story that only falls flat on it's face.  I thought that the film was going to improve about a hour in but after a scene with Joe and Gary bonding, it just goes back the same muddled mess it had been previously.

An interesting fact about the film is that Gary Poulter who plays Wade was a real life alcoholic and homeless man who was found dead in a shallow body of water before the film was released.  However, the best part of the whole film is Tye Sheridan.  I think that he is a rising star that we should keep our eyes on, he is bound to be something good one day.  He is interesting to watch and I think that he is pretty convincing as an actor.  

This film is one to skip.  There really is better things to be doing with your time other than watching this film.  Critics gave it a good reviews but I think for most viewers it will probably just fall flat.  Don't waste your time with this film, it isn't worth the time you will waste watching it.  Don't Forget the Popcorn!