Joe

Joe is a brilliant, atmospheric tragic drama directed by David Gordon Green in 2013. This film features an incredible performance by Nicolas Cage, as the titular character, along with the equally remarkable acting of Tye Sheridan and the late, real-life drifter Gary Poulter.

The film portrays a gritty, Southern territory overrun with poverty, domestic violence and desperate people attempting to scrape together an existence. The movie is set in the poverty-stricken backwoods of Texas, where optimism and prosperity are scarce, and survival instincts have replaced the norms of humanity.

Nicolas Cage delivers a morality-stained portrayal of Joe Ransom, an ex-con, living with the scars of his past, a wild criminal life and lost innocence. Joe is a hard-drinking, heavy-smoking rugged man who runs an unlicensed forestry crew that poisons trees for a lumber company. He lives in self-imposed solitude and carries an intensity and demeanor that hints at a tortured past and a subconscious longing for redemption.

Enter 15-year-old Gary, played by a stellar Tye Sheridan, an impoverished boy full of determination and desperation, seeking work to support his homeless family. Gary, living in the shadow of an abusive, alcoholic father, Wade, portrayed by Gary Poulter, comes across as a character hardened by manhood far before his years, yet still clings onto a sense of innocence. Sheridan gives an honest and raw portrayal of a teenage boy who is struggling to find his place in the world while battling the obstacles that his unfortunate circumstances have thrown his way.

The movie’s trajectory gains momentum when Joe offers the job and an unlikely friendship to Gary. In their exchanges, there's a father-son dynamic that emerges. Joe, recognizing Gary's troubles, starts to act as a mentor to him, prompting a mild semblance of hope in the harsh reality of their respective lives.

As an exploration of destructive cycles, the screenplay gradually exposes the latent, simmering violence underneath Joe's tough veneer. This volatility, mirrored in a feral dog that appears consistently throughout the film, ultimately shapes Joe's trajectory as the narrative unfolds.

The performance from the late Gary Poulter, a real-life homeless man in his first and only cinematic outing, is as disturbing as it is memorable. Poulter’s depiction of Wade is frightening, inhabiting a decrepit man drowned in alcoholism and cruelty, personifying the ghoulish side of broken humanity. His portrayal serves as a haunting backdrop, casting a shadow over the narrative.

Nicolas Cage’s performance is extraordinary, his best in years, encapsulating the boiling rage, guilt, and hidden tenderness of Joe. Tye Sheridan, following an impressive performance in Mud, brings an intense vulnerability and tenacity to the role of Gary.

The movie employs naturalistic cinematography, showcasing the deep woods, ramshackle homes, and dreary bars in a series of visually poetic sequences, and a hauntingly desolate yet beautiful landscape to dive the audience into the mysterious world of Joe.

The accompanying score resonates with a melancholic tone, complementing the movie’s gritty and solemn atmosphere. The movie is a slow burn, with the tension meticulously crafted, matching the complex and raw emotions projected on screen.

Joe pulls no punches in displaying the vehement reality of a harsh, decaying Southern rural life, filled with violence and destitution. Within this bleak setting, it presents a dour exploration of redemption, kinship, and the struggle for a better existence. The film presents a stark portrayal of humanity going to desperate lengths to break vicious circles.

Surrounding all these complexities, there is an ever-present moral ambiguity within the plot. Joe’s intense desire to protect Gary while trying to untangle from his own past's demons creates a paradox of a man caught between sin and savior.

Fans of thought-provoking cinema may find themselves captivated by the dark charm of Joe. While it might not be everyone's idea of entertaining cinema, Joe is indeed an alluring piece of art. It serves as an incredible reminder of Nicolas Cage's genuine acting prowess while offering a platform for Tye Sheridan's extraordinary performance. This poignant drama offers a deep character study inside a grim world and presents a story that resonates long after the credits roll.