Where on earth did Nicholas Cage’s career go? Cage’s early career was filled with good performances and good movies. He worked with top-notch directors such as the Coen Brothers and Spike Jonze and he even won an Academy Award. But movie fans know the story. His worldwide real estate spending spree led to financial woes and soon Cage was excepting any role he was given to help get out of his mess. There have been brief glimmers of the old Nick Cage but for the most part he has become so synonymous with crappy movies.
But Cage is still a likable guy which is why I’m so excited to talk about “Joe”. I’m not sure if I’m ready to say Nicholas Cage is back, but this is an eye-opening performance and a bold reminder of what he can do when given good material and a capable director to work with. David Gordon Green is a filmmaker who has had his share of misses especially when he jumped into the mainstream comedy arena. But he is also a smart and nuanced director who can draw so much out of his stories and characters. Last year’s “Prince Avalanche” was a great example of that and “Joe” makes him two-for-two.
The film is set in a low income, deep south community. Joe Ransom (Cage) is a timber worker who runs a hard working local crew. He has a good reputation among his men and some of the locals. He meets and befriends a 15-year old boy named Gary (Tye Sheridan). Gary has a tumultuous family life mainly due to his abusive and alcoholic father Wade (Gary Poulter). He finds an escape in Joe while also making some money to support his mother and sister.
Early on Joe looks to be a good and stable mentor and father figure. He is a sharp antithesis to Gary’s real father who is despicable in ever regard. But perhaps the most compelling thing about the movie is how Joe’s character unfolds. Throughout the film one thin layer after another is peeled back revealing a deeply flawed man with an intensely troubled past. He is a tortured soul assaulted by demons that we don’t always fully meet. His inability to cope with them sometimes makes him his own worst enemy. This forms the central conflict which drives a lot of the story.
Cage absolutely owns this character. His performance is saturated with grit and authenticity. He is the centerpiece of the picture and for those not familiar with his once promising acting chops, this is a spectacular showcase. Tye Sheridan follows up his wonderful work in “Mud” with a darker and more mature performance. He handles the heavy and emotionally charged material with the skill of a veteran. His opening scene with Poulter is piercing and uncomfortable and it sets the table for the rest of the picture. Speaking of Poulter, the realism in his performance is surreal and effectively disturbing. Even more unnerving is Poulter’s real story. He was homeless and a terrible alcoholic when Green cast him. This undoubtedly fueled his performance with such honesty. Sadly Poulter was found dead on the streets of Austin, Texas shortly before the film was set to debut.
Another key strength of the film is Green’s impeccable southern vision. The striking detail he puts in every little thing helps to create this otherworldly setting which is actually more real than many realize. The story flourishes in this sad and smothering environment and it just gets darker and darker as things progress. It could be said the film exploits southern stereotypes in order to create such a setting and sometimes the movie slips off the rails in its attempts. But ultimately it is a vivid and ferocious setting that never allows us to feel comfortable (and that is a good thing).
“Joe” isn’t an easy movie to digest. It is southern gothic to the core with an emphasis on the unpleasant and disturbing. It’s not a movie for the faint of heart. But it is an exciting return of sorts for Nicholas Cage and one can only hope it is a sign of things to come. “Joe” is uncomfortable and unflinching yet it is almost impossible to take your eyes off it. It may be a bit too abrasive, but the story at the heart of the film is what shines through in the end.
Keith & the Movies 
Loved this movie. Not only was it a dark, grim story that barely pulled any punches, but gave me Cage’s best performance in the past five or so years. Given the kind of crap he’s stooped to doing for awhile, that doesn’t sound like much, but for a Cage-fanatic like myself, it means a whole heck of a lot. Good review Keith.
Oh I think it means a lot too. It’s a return to form for an actor who showed early he had the chops. I hope it’s a sign of a Renaissance somewhat similar to Matthew McConaughey. That would be great.
Great review. That’s a sad story about happened to Poulter.
Pretty terrible isn’t it. He gives such an unsettling and genuine performance. You can tell he drew from something personal. Sad that he never was able to enjoy the reception his performance has received.
Poulter is terrific in this! Hopefully Cage continues making great films and Sheridan undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him after Mud and Joe! Nice post, mate!
Thanks my friend. Cage really needed this. I’m with you, hopefully this is a sign of better decisions and better movies from him. He clearly has the ability.
Great review Keith. Glad to hear Cage is on his way back and I’m looking forward to seeing this one. Sorry to hear about Poulter though – very sad turn of events.
Very sad indeed. Poulter’s performance cuts like the sharpest blade. It’s authentically uncomfortable and such a strong part of the film.
David Gordon Green and Nicholas Cage are making right decisions and resurrecting their careers. I’m glad about that! Ruth and Josh liked this film a lot and now you, too. That’s a great sign to me the film is tops. I look forward to checking it out.
It’s worth a watch for sure. It’s pretty dark but it is very well done. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
Keith, I enjoy reading your articles and appreciate it when you visit my movie posts. I’d love your thoughts on my post regarding cinematographers. I’m curious who you admire 🙂
http://cindybruchman.wordpress.com/2014/05/05/cinematographers/
We share similar followers–you’d probably enjoy “How close have you been to a movie star?”
http://cindybruchman.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/how-close-have-you-been-to-a-movie-star/#like-6902
Awesome! Thanks Cindy. I’ve been sooo far behind on my reading. Barely had time to get my writing done. Just finished up putting together three reviews. I just things to slow down a bit. 🙂
Oh, I know. Everyone’s busy..if you have a many followers, it’s hard to keep up with it all. I just thought you’d get a kick out of the dialogue and your expertise and knowledge is always welcome on my site. No worries. 🙂
I look forward to checking them out! 🙂
Good review my friend. I’ll have to find out where I can watch this film because it looks so damn good. I still love Cage despite his goofiness in recent years and with Poulter’s tragic story intertwining with his performance, makes it all the more appealing.
Thank you very much. Definitely search it out. It will be worth your time. It’s not a happy tale and it gets darker and darker as the movie progresses, but it is a really good watch.
I do love southern gothic, I had no idea this was one – I only saw a poster for the movie. I may give it a shot, it’s a rare thing to see new good Cage movie nowadays 🙂
Definitely Southern Gothic. I think this one may surprise you. Cage is very good here. I think if he gets good material and makes good choices he can really shine.
Great review Keith! You’re right Cage is a likable actor, and though this might not be a superb performance, it’s definitely much better than most of the stuff he’s done of late. Tye impresses once again here and I agree it’s a more mature performance. I’m anxious to see him wearing preppy clothes in a posh environment though, the two roles I saw him is him in impoverished environment. Certainly he’s very talented.
I really thought Cage was fantastic. It’s tricky because he has to peel back the layers of this character as the movie moves along. He nails it and seems the perfect fit for the character.
Fine, fine review bro. This does sound great and right up my street. I enjoyed Prince Avalanche and it’s great to hear that Cage is delivering the goods again. I always rated him highly in the past. I’m still not sure about his hairpieces, though. His hair looks alright here but that beard looks like it’s taken a lot of glue to stay on.
LOL! You forget about the beard pretty quick especially as things get darker and more miserable. Nothing pretty about this film bro, but that is a positive thing. I just hope Cage is coming out of his slumber!
Yeah, here’s hoping that he’s finally paid off that tax bill.
LOL!!!!! He really got himself in a pickle, didn’t he? I didn’t realize he was such a top-paid actor. And then he goes all over the globe buying real estate and castles and whatnot.
Great review mate. Really like the look of this one and glad to hear Cage has got some decent material once more. Plus, his beard is a thing of beauty.
It’s a dominating beard! Definitely worth checking out my friend. I really hope this is a better direction for Cage.
Looks awesome. Cool review.
Thanks. It’s definitely worth seeing. Really good work from Cage.
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Cage was amazing here and finally reminded me why I stick behind him no matter what. Good review
Cage was really good. Perfect role for him. Now if only he would get more like this!