Joe
Dir: David Gordon Green
2014
****
David Gordon Green's Prince Avalanche looked like a return to form for the young director after a spate of cheap comedies, it was hard to tell if it was for real though on account of it being a remake but 2014's Joe confirms that he is indeed back to doing what he does best. Joe (Nicholas Cage in his best performance for quite a while) has his problems but is dependable and is known for helping out those in need in his community. Cue young Gary (played by an impressive Tye Sheridan) who wants to work to help support his younger sister but is tormented by an overpowering drunk and violent step-father. Joe takes Gary under his wing and steps in when things go too far. It's a story that has been told a hundred times before but never quite like this. David Gordon Green takes the time for the characters to develop, we see what each person actually does for a living, we see the best and worst of each character and we see the differing levels of the troubled soul. It is far from formulaic and nothing like the black and white Hollywood storytelling we're used to. It reminded me of David Gordon Green's fantastic debut; George Washington. I find David Gordon Green's films to be quite easy to get lost in, he immerses the audience quite naturally without gimmick or pretension. I like the fact he hired local people to star in his films too. Gary Poulter was a local drunk who Green saw something in. He gave him a chance to play the drunk and violent step father and he did quite an amazing job, so good that many argued that he should have received a supporting actor nomination. Sadly, and quite poignantly, Poulter died on the street just months after filming had wrapped, giving weight to the stories message that hardship is very real in central America and without excuses, there are valid reasons.