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:

An Average Joe. An Adventurous Comedy.

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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

The mask worn by the Waponi who is representing the evil spirit resembles the factory where Joe used to work.

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Goofs

When Joe enters the factory turnstile (view from the back), the man next in line bars is not the same man behind him when Joe gets hit by the turnstile (view from the front). This might be deliberate on the part of the film makers. When he walks through the parking lot, most of the people around him are dressed as blue-collar workers (open collars and jackets). When he enters the gate, most of the people behind him are white collar workers (jacket and tie under overcoat).

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Quotes

Marshall: They just pay me to drive the limo, sir. I'm not here to tell you who you are.
Joe Banks: I didn't ask you to tell me who I am.
Marshall: You were hinting around about clothes. That happens to be a very important topic to me, sir. Clothes, Mr...
Joe Banks: Banks.
Marshall: Banks. Clothes make the man. I believe that. You say to me you want to go shopping, you want to buy clothes, but you don't know what kind. You leave that hanging in the air, like I'm going to fill in the blank, that to me is like asking me who you are, and I don't ...

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Connections

Referenced in Greek: Tailgate Expectations (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Mas Que Nada"
Written by Jorge Ben
Performed by Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66
used during the New York shopping spree

User Reviews

A misunderstood film explained

Most people didn't "get" this film. But each of us has a different sense of humour and depth. JVTV is a subtle, witty film with morals, not like the bash 'em and blow 'em up Hollywood films of late. Meg Ryan shows her versatility as three separate, wonderfully funny characters and Tom Hanks (think of his character in The Money Pit but amusingly depressed) as Joe Banks trapped in a dead end job and is told he has a terminal illness. He is offered the chance to "live like a king, die like a man" by jumping into a volcano as part of a business deal where Joe gets to spend as much money as he likes before the big deed. Along the way Joe meets many characters who awaken him to the fact that life is worth living. This film is loaded with wonderful observations, a great score and songs, and standout performances. JVTV is one of those rare films you can easily watch again and again, and always makes me smile every time I see it.