5.7/10
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Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

PG | | Comedy, Romance | 9 March 1990 (USA)
Joe Versus the Volcano Poster
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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.

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1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Joe
... DeDe / Angelica / Patricia
... Graynamore
... Dr. Ellison
... Chief of the Waponis
... Mr. Waturi
Barry McGovern ... Luggage Salesman
... Dagmar
... Marshall
Jayne Haynes ... Nurse
David Burton ... Mike
Jon Conrad Pochron ... Tony (as Jon Pochran)
... Fred - Guard
Antoni Gatti ... Italian Tailor
Darrell Zwerling ... Underwear Salesman
See full cast »
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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. Written by <talford@mitre.org>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

surrealism | actor playing multiple roles | character name in title | island | volcano | See All (28) »

Taglines:

An Average Joe. An Adventurous Comedy. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. | WB Shop / Warner Archive

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

9 March 1990 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Joe contre le volcan  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,252,232, 11 March 1990, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$39,404,261
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

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

Goofs

In the morning when the daisy gets stepped on, everyone's shadows are to their right. Later that afternoon, when Joe fixes the daisy, his shadow is also to his right, and from the same camera angle. In the afternoon Joe's shadow would have been of a different angle. See more »

Quotes

[Joe is about to jump into the volcano]
Patricia: I love you!
Joe Banks: I love you, too! I've never been in love with anybody before, either! It's great! I'm glad! But the timing stinks.
[kisses her on the cheek]
Joe Banks: I've gotta go.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Ready Player One (2018) See more »

Soundtracks

Good Lovin
Written by Arthur Resnick and Rudy Clark
Performed by The Rascals
used while fishing on the yacht
See more »

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User Reviews

My All Time Favorite
15 April 2001 | by – See all my reviews

Like many others who have commented, this movie speaks to me on many different levels. Whenever my life gets out of control, this is the movie I plug in. Joe is a character we can all identify with, and everyone has a bit of DeeDee, Anjelica and Patricia in them as well. I just wish Warner Bros. would release this on DVD (and the soundtrack, while they're at it). By far the best Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie. I just can't believe the low "grade" of this movie on IMD after reading mostly positive comments. And the few who hate it should give it another chance, and pay no attention to the silly previews that exist on some older videotapes.
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