Based on the novel ‘Joe’ by Larry Brown, David Gordon Green directs the story of an ex-con who finds redemption through his friendship with a 15 year old boy.
Set in a Southern backwater is the tale of a tree worker who develops a relationship with a teenager who is being abused by his father. From their initial distant meeting, to their gradual building of trust to finally forming a strong paternal bond, this character driven film is as heart wrenching as it is heat pounding.
Nicholas Cage is outstanding as Joe, a good man with a bad temper, who desperately tries to avoid emotional attachments for fear of his rage getting the better of him. Equally powerful is Tye Sheridan as Gary, a teenager seeking an escape from his abusive father, whilst at the same time trying to protect his mother and sister. Alongside them is co-star Gary Poulter, who is utterly convincing as the violent father Wade (a.k.a. G-Daawg).
David Gordon Green ensures the film has an oppressive tone throughout, dispersed only with intermittent bursts of random violence. The opening perfectly shows the miserable and violent lives Joe and Gary lead. So much so, the beginning implies Gary’s life is actually Joe is looking back on childhood. This subtle suggestion explains why their friendship develops the way it does, as Joe clearly sees something of himself in the young Gary. As the film progresses their relationship develops faultlessly, Joe the natural born, if somewhat flawed, father figure and Gary a young man in desperate need of a positive male role model. The film doesn’t drop a beat and thankfully never patronises the young Gary, and in turn the audience.
It is a joy and a relief seeing Nicolas Cage once again doing films worthy of his considerable acting ability and with the young Tye Sheridan putting in equally powerful performance this drama is certainly a cut above your average father son bonding movie.
An ugly story, beautifully told, a must for Southern drama enthusiasts and Nicolas Cage fans alike.
‘Joe’ opens in cinemas around the UK from July 25th.
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