David Gordon Green's intense backwater drama was a comeback film of sorts. Not only was it a return to form for Green after directing such ephemeral films as The Sitter and Your Highness, but it was also a comeback for Nicolas Cage whose choice of roles in recent years has drawn intense criticism from some (Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance, anybody?). Cage is on rare form as the titular Joe, a man trying to make an honest living as the foreman of a tree-removal crew while battling his various demons. Cage is helped by the talented Tye Sheridan, fresh of his appearance in Mud. Both actors put in great performances but even they are eclipsed by the work of Gary Poutler as Wade a.k.a G-Daawg. Poutler was a homeless man given the role by Green (who often casts local people in his films). His performance is nothing short of astounding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WPLVEUx5AU Unfortunately, Poutler died on the streets of Austin, Texas just a couple of months after filming ended. It is one of the great one-shot performances in cinema history and Joe is worth seeing for that alone. But there is, of course, much more to Joe than just that. It is a great, overlooked film in its own right. If only Nicolas Cage did more films like this one.
