Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Nicolas Cage | ... | Joe | |
Tye Sheridan | ... | Gary | |
Gary Poulter | ... | Wade a.k.a. G-Daawg | |
Ronnie Gene Blevins | ... | Willie-Russell | |
Adriene Mishler | ... | Connie | |
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Brian Mays | ... | Junior (as Brian D. Mays) |
Aj Wilson McPhaul | ... | Earl (as A.J. Wilson McPhaul) | |
Sue Rock | ... | Merle | |
Heather Kafka | ... | Lacy | |
Brenda Isaacs Booth | ... | Mother (as Brenda Isaacs-Booth) | |
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Anna Niemtschk | ... | Dorothy |
Elbert Hill III | ... | Shorty (as Elbert Evan Hill III) | |
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Milton Fountain | ... | Milton |
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Roderick L. Polk | ... | Roscoe |
Aaron Spivey-Sorrells | ... | Sammy |
In order to provide for his destitute family of drifters, a likable, sincere, able-bodied 15-year-old boy comes to hire on among a burned-out ex-con's group of aging forest laborers. As the man becomes more and more aware of the boy's abusive home life, his deeply buried humanity is roused. Drinking and smoking incessantly to remain detached from his volatile temper, he finally takes the matter into his own hands - come what may - when the boy's alcoholic father finally goes too far. Written by statmanjeff
In the South of the USA, the foreman Joe (Nicolas Cage) works with his black crew poisoning trees for the farmers to clean the field. Joe has a trauma, since he spent almost three years in prison for assaulting an abusive police officer. As the result, he has troubles with the police and he is emotionally detached from people. He spends most of his time drinking and smoking to control his nerves or with a whore and his dog. When the strong fifteen year-old Gary (Tye Sheridan) looks for a job with Joe, he notes that the teenager is a hard-worker and befriends him. But he also realizes that his abusive alcoholic father G-Daawg (Gary Poulter) is a scumbag. When G-Daawg associates to the also scum Willie-Russell (Ronnie Gene Blevins), he crosses a line with no point of return and Joe decides to protect Gary and his family.
"Joe" is a low-budget movie with magnificent performance of the uneven Nicolas Cage in his best role in the last films. The dramatic and realistic story of redemption of a good man is crude and never corny. The excellent direction and performances and the original screenplay keep the attention of the viewer until the very last scene. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Joe"