Plustown A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Claire Dunne One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Leofwine_draca 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.

v-ley I haven't found many movies that show a mentor that isn't a true Law enforcer, but has some courage, but this one was. I wish there were more "Joe's" in the real World and on a daily basis without the mouthy "activists" and this has nothing to do with color. Joe has his own problems and worked through them, until this young man comes along and needs just the right touch of Human interaction, the right kind. Too many people have an agenda today to actually DO something positive, this movie proves there are no needs for color, religion or monetary statute to stand up and do the right thing...loved it, loved the story line and found it believable and heartbreaking, all at once. I stopped watching N Cage for a while and now I'm playing "catch up" and glad I am. Give this movie a chance, it's well worth it.

Floated2 Joe (played by Nicolas Cage) is a man removed; for reasons never entirely explained, he has no friends, and he limits his personal relationships to a series of financial transactions: they know his name at the local bar, convenience store, and brothel. When Gary comes into his life, some latent paternal instinct kicks in, and they form a tenuous friendship, while struggling to keep each other at arm's length. But when Gary's drunken father starts making more trouble in his life, Joe struggles to keep his legendary temper in check, putting all three of them in danger. The film is well acted from the cast but aside from it's visuals, there happens to be a lot of nothing as if the filmmakers needed visuals to make up for time. If one is expecting am exciting, and thoughtful film with thrills and turns, Joe is not to be recommended. =========== As a rewatch, Joe is a more mature and thought provoking drama. We can see why the film has been praised, the acting from Nicolas Cage is strong and the chemistry shown from Tye Sheridan is what makes the film what it is. Although the film may drag at some parts, on a second viewing it felt more engaging as I had forgot most of what happened. Rating changed from 4 to 7. Strong message throughout the film and worth another viewing for those whom didn't like it on the initial watch.

Bryan Kluger Director David Gordon Green has had quite an impressive resume over the last ten years, and this being 2014, Green is showing no signs of weakening or bowing down to the execs of Hollywood any time soon. Green's resume includes 'Pineapple Express', 'Eastbound and Down', 'Your Highness', and the more recent drama 'Prince Avalanche'. He also produced the gritty thriller 'Compliance'. Green seemed to step away from the likes of Will Ferrell, Seth Rogen, and Danny McBride, and made an unrelenting yet beautiful movie with 'Joe', which is based on a novel by Larry Brown of the same name from 1991.'Joe' is fueled by the incredible performances of Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan ('Mud') as a man with troubled past is struggling to keep on the straight and narrow while a young boy with a truly terrible home life is looking for something more to life than being beaten by his father. Green captures some truly dark moments in the deep south where this takes place. So much so, that I imagine some people might walk out of the theater, but the redemption and relationship between Joe (Cage) and Gary (Sheridan) is something to be treasured and watch for many years to come. Joe is a man who back in his younger days, had a big temper, which got him trouble with the law quite a bit. But now that he is almost 50, he has calmed down and runs a small business in a hillbilly town where he and a team of day laborers poison trees for a lumber company in order to replant stronger trees.Although Joe is is a kind man to those around him, we see he is constantly on a thin line where he could snap at any moment and become a raging lunatic. But Joe seems to have the respect of everyone in town including the sheriff. Meanwhile, Gary lives with his horribly abusive father Wade (Gary Poulter), his mother and younger mute sister in a condemned house in the middle of nowhere. Wade is not above selling his daughter for sex, abusing his kids or wife, or even murder for so much as a drink. Gary is wanting more out of life than being at the bottom end of his father's abuse, and as he is wandering through the woods, he comes upon Joe and his crew and asks for a job. For the first time for what seems like in many years, Joe takes Gary under his wing and can tell his comes from a very bad home. Joe can't figure this out for himself either as he can't seem to have a good relationship with his on again off again girlfriend that he can't commit to. But it seem that he can fully commit to be there for Gary. Maybe he sees a version of himself in him and doesn't want him to take the same path as he acts as a father figure to Gary, which Gary is desperately wanting.Things seem to be going well up until Gary convinces Joe to give his dad a job, which doesn't last too long as Wade doesn't have the chemical DNA to work any job, but is not above taking Gary's hard earned money to drink. To make matters worse, Joe and Gary both had a run in with Willie (Ronnie Gene Blevins, who looks a lot like Peter Sarsgaard), who is a local dumb criminal with a big scar on his face. Willie is out looking for trouble always, but can't seem to back up his word until he grabs a gun with his other redneck henchmen. 'Joe' plays out like a very dark coming-of-age movie where two people who seeking some sort of connection to do good in life, finally find what they are looking for. Joe teaches Gary about women, smoking, and driving, but has to keep his temper under control when dealing with Willie and Wade, or else he will explode, much like his chained up pit-bull who lives under his house. This all leads to a very 'hard-to-watch' climax that is shot perfectly and beautifully.Cage throws himself into Joe's character as we see his struggle to be the kind, funny, and generous man that he is, but teeters on that rocky ledge of becoming a maniac, but not-over-the-top as we've seen Cage in other films. And Sheridan is still proving he is one of the best child actors out there today. Gary Poulter is stunning in this role, but ends on a very sour story, as Poulter was actually a homeless man living in Austin, Texas who died a couple of weeks after filming. His body was found in a foot or two of water after a night of heavy drinking. It's a very sad story, but Green's decision to cast this man as Wade is genius. 'Joe' will knock the socks off of you and is quite one of the best films of this year so far and has quickly made the best Nic Cage movies of all time. 'Joe' won't soon leave your thoughts and is one hell of a fine film.