Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

When a hypochondriac learns that he is dying, he accepts an offer to throw himself in a volcano at a tropical island, and along the way there, learns to truly live.

Director:

John Patrick Shanley

Writer:

John Patrick Shanley

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Lloyd Bridges

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks	...	Joe
Meg Ryan	...	DeDe / Angelica / Patricia
Lloyd Bridges	...	Graynamore
Robert Stack	...	Dr. Ellison
Abe Vigoda	...	Chief of the Waponis
Dan Hedaya	...	Mr. Waturi
Barry McGovern	...	Luggage Salesman
Amanda Plummer	...	Dagmar
Ossie Davis	...	Marshall
Jayne Haynes	...	Nurse
David Burton	...	Mike
Jon Conrad Pochron	...	Tony (as Jon Pochran)
Jim Hudson	...	Fred - Guard
Antoni Gatti	...	Italian Tailor
Darrell Zwerling	...	Underwear Salesman

Storyline

Joe versus the Volcano is a fable which opens with somewhat surrealistic scenes of the dehumanization of Joe Bank's job and work environment (at a company whose product rather literally screws people) with imagery that seems to have been inspired by the classic film Metropolis. Joe is diagnosed with an incurable disease, quits his dehumanizing job, and accepts an offer to briefly "live like a king, die like a man" - but to fulfill his agreement he must willingly jump into a live volcano on the island of Waponi Woo in order to appease the volcano god. En route to the island, Joe meets a series of interesting characters in NYC and LA, then boards a yacht, captained by Patricia Graynamore. During the voyage Joe and Patricia survive disaster, fall in love, and finally arrive at the island where they face their destiny.

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Plot Keywords:

island | volcano | yacht | love | tropical | 

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Taglines:

A story of love, lava and burning desire.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 March 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Joe Contra o Vulcão

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$39,404,261 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Amblin Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Joe operates the main drain valve, he is closing it.

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Goofs

Mr. Graynamore sets out the credit cards atop Joe's stereo, orientating them so Joe can read them. Joe takes one and turns it over as if it were turned upside down.

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Quotes

Joe Banks: What's that? A teddy bear?
Waponi Chief: It's my soul.
Joe Banks: Oh, I hope you don't lose it.
Waponi Chief: Me too.

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Connections

Referenced in How It Should Have Ended: How Saving Private Ryan Should Have Ended (2005)

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Soundtracks

"I Cover the Waterfront"
Written by Heyman & Green
Performed by The Ink Spots
used during Joe's derlilium on the raft

User Reviews

Without a doubt one of the greatest movies ever made.

I am a very tough critic, and most movies are nothing but incredible disappointments for me. However, Joe vs. the Volcano is a movie that I can honestly say is a cinematic masterpiece. When people call this a romantic comedy, they are committing a great injustice to this film. That is not to say that there is not romantic comedy in the story, but to say that it is the point of the film is monumentally short sighted. The real story in Joe vs. the Volcano is about coming to terms with yourself, finding that spark that we spend our lives searching for. It is about discovering our humanity and what that entails. Normally, this would end up being pretentious and sophomoric crap, but because the heavy subject matter is taken so lightly, we are treated to a modern fairy tale that runs the gamut in terms of emotional impact. The performances are stellar and to this day I have never enjoyed Tom Hanks more, the direction pays tribute to classic films with cinephillic glee, and the soundtrack is simply superb. 10 out of 10!