Joe (2013)

Where our children turn when their parents let them down is one of the most troubling areas for fact and fiction both. Nicolas Cage's checkered career doesn't diminish his strong, heartfelt performance here as Joe, leading a group of workers in the deep woods of some Deep South state doing illegal tree killing. But that's just backdrop, because a teenager, Gary, comes along looking for work, seemingly just from some patch of these rural woods or one of the little backwards towns nearby.

Joe has issues with violence and alcohol, but he's a truly good person deep down below all the conflicts and bad judgments, and he learns that Gary has an abusive father and troubled family. And he gradually gets involved. As this intersection grows, we learn more about Joe's world in the town, about some other guys who have it out for him, and about his sense of honor. It's that kind of world where government of all kinds, including the police, is considered unnecessary to the point of being bad, and instead people have a kind of independence that is sometimes admirable and sometimes pure belligerence.

That's the part of the movie I liked much more than I expected, and was what I took away above all—the portrayal of a kind of life and a kind of people, told with an odd kind of honesty that works.

It doesn't just reside there, however. The plot becomes highly dramatic, even sensational, as some of the shifty characters get motivated to get really violent. There is even a point when it gets so hairy for Joe he does something unthinkable until now—he calls the cops. You'll see, it's an odd turning point. So this vengeance and violence make the plot have teeth, I suppose, and it's fine, but I actually sense another movie that didn't get made here that was toned down two steps and had all these elements and yet kept the focus on the real grit.

And there's Gary, who is a pretty decent kid somehow (his father is about as bad as fathers can get, but his mom had some influence, I guess). We can finally see how a kid can escape a family horror and move on, while growing up and becoming a decent person, maybe another Joe, which oddly enough the world needs. It's worth watching just for all these things. Give it twenty minutes to develop, and it'll click.

JOE is a slow-burning drama/thriller about the unlikely relationship between a former convict going straight and a teenage boy from a troubled family. The former employs the latter in his forest clearing operation and the film subsequently charts their trials and tribulations in a realistic, downbeat world.

Those expecting another vehicle for a slumming-it Nicolas Cage will be pleasantly surprised by the actor here as he gives his best and most authentic performance in ages. He's well matched by the youthful Tye Sheridan, who will surely go on to greatness following his authentic and sympathetic performance here. The film has much in common with the likes of THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES and MUD in depicting gritty realism and harsh but fair characterisation, and it's far better than the latter picture for example.

The story keeps you watching and throws in some occasional unexpected and graphic violence to keep you on your feet. Things build to an effective climax but there are some great scenes paced throughout, like the bit where Cage is chased by the cops and confronts them. Add in some really nasty supporting characters and a memorably kooky turn from real-life homeless actor Gary Poulter, and you have a thoroughly interesting little movie.

Joe Ransom (Nicolas Cage) and his men clear unwanted trees using poison in rural Texas. He has a violent temper especially with the creepy Willie (Ronnie Gene Blevins) and the cops. People like Joe but he did time for assaulting cops. 15-year-old drifter Gary (Tye Sheridan) talks Joe into hiring him onto the crew. Willie shoots at Joe injuring him. Later, Gary gets into a fight with Willie. Connie (Adriene Mishler) stays with Joe after her mother's pervert boyfriend comes back into her home. Gary's alcoholic father Wade (Gary Poulter) gets them both fired by Joe and then beats Gary out of his money. Joe takes pity on Gary and hires him back. Wade robs and kills a man. Then he sells his daughter to Willie.

Nicolas Cage returns to form but it's Gary Poulter who steals the movie. A homeless drunk in real life, he gives one of the most visceral performance on screen. There is a wildness in the man that transcends acting. He is fully committed when he beats up the boy. Ronnie Gene Blevins also gives a terrific performance as the creep. There is a superb bleakness with this rural backdrop.