I have not written a movie review in a while. In fact this is one of the categories that may eventually disappear from my blog, because unless I am reviewing a Korean film, it does not really fit between the two main focus areas of my blog. As they do not document my life as an expat in Korea, nor do they offer visitors or other expats tips on where to go, or make living in Korea Easier. Nor are they at all technical in nature. Though until I can get some more content to fill the gap removing this category, but for now it is that time again where I review a movie that
I have recently watched.

Joe, starring Nicolas Cage, Tye Sheridan, and Gary Poulter. Directed by David Gordon Green, and based on the novel by Larry Brown.

There was not allot of media hype surrounding this film, I only discovered it while browsing for the week’s top 10 film’s in the iTunes music store. The trailer looked interesting, so I decided to put it on my to watch list. Aside from a few reviews of the film, there is not a whole lot of information available for it on the web. Searching for a plot summary on Wikipedia or IMDB only presents you with this information, “An ex-con, who is the unlikeliest of role models, meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin.”

Joe is one of those movies were it is best to watch with someone else. While this might not be a good “date” movie due to graphic violence. It is an excellent choice for company that wouldn’t mind sitting down in a coffee house, or bar to discuss the many subtle nuances of the film.

The movie centers around 3 main character groups, Joe Ransom, who we are introduced to as a hardworking, but fair manager of a group of day workers, whose job it is to clear unwanted trees for a big lumber company, so a more desirable species can be planted. Gary, a 15 year old son of a drifting alcoholic father and his family, stumble upon the forest workers. Gary is a hard worker, whose goal is to defend and provide for his mother and sister where his father cannot. Gary begs Joe for himself and his father with Joe’s crew. Joe accepts and discovers Gary’s strong work effort, easy going personality which makes him easily get along with the rest of the crew.

Gary’s father is a lazy, good for nothing abusive father, husband, and laborer. Who’s only though is where and how he is going to get his next drink, (The lengths he will go to are as heartbreaking as they are shocking.) Due to his laziness and unwillingness to work, he is quickly told he is not wanted back on work site. Joe takes them both home, and witnesses his father beating up Gary for his money. Joe reluctantly does not get involved.

We also find out that while Joe has a good heart, and in general goes out of his way to help those in the community, he has a very brutal dark side, which has gotten him in trouble with the law in the past. Something that local sheriff’s deputies still hold again him, and thus continue to harass him about. The town bully Willie also has a chip on his shoulder with Joe, and their continued confrontations continue to become more and more violent.

Joe knows that it is only a matter of time before he loses control and does something that will put him back in the penitentiary. Will he be able to rescue Gary from his situation before he runs out of time? Will Gary be Joe’s redemption from his past?  Rent Joe from the ITunes Music Store tonight, or pick up the Blu-Ray, or DVD tonight and find out.

The movie does get slow in parts, and definitely contains some very violent scenes. I was not quite sure what some of the more subtle nuances of the film were, but the more I thought about the characters, and scenes, the subtle storyline did come more into focus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WPLVEUx5AU