Just when I thought that films revolving around addiction and recovery couldn't surprise or get my full attention anymore, then came Ken Loach's "My Name Is Joe", a
movie I heard about for some time but only now I managed to watch it. Though Loach is a great director with an extensive body of work dealing with strong social/political
themes in UK who usually are downers and depressive ("I, Daniel Blake", "Hidden Agenda" and "The Wind That Shakes the Barley"), maybe because I considered the theme he was
about to deal with and how he usually ends his movies - mostly written by Paul Laverty - I stayed away from it, but always inclined to watch. As quite a surprise, in some
ways this is Loach's most hopeful and romantic film ("Jimmy's Hall" gets near that) but there's plenty of downer moments. Just don't let it stop you from watching
because there are plenty of worthy and valuable things to learn, both about life and also about the power of cinema.
Joe Kavanagh (Peter Mullan) leads a quiet life in Glasgow, taking the local soccer player team in games, and helping everyone in need. But Joe also happens to be an alcoholic in recovery for a couple of months. Since he tells right on the first scene during his AA meeting, and later on we have this portrayal of such a good natured man with a big heart he is, we wonder about the personal tragedy in his life that made him look at life and say "I can't drink anymore". It's usually a personal decision or the intervention from family and friends, forced or not. But that's his life, he's trying to change really hard, by also becoming the sponsor of a young addict (David McKay) who's following the program with him, trying to stay away from problem. Another good chance of shot at redemption comes from Sarah Downie (Louise Goodall), a health worker who checks out the kid's life and his family and Joe soon feels romantically interested on her.
In between dates and nights out, a relationship begins and little by little we fall in love with those characters. They feel genuine, real, and their goodness is such a breath of fresh air in terms of cinema and of life that for a moment you start to believe in people who have those kind of approach in personal relations, helping each other, being thoughtful and all.
As everything goes well, Joe doesn't drink and keeps his routine avoiding habits and people from using days, but he cannot escape the place, that poor part of Glasgow where addiction is present in certain places, very near him. And the unexpected turning point for Joe comes in the form of being too selfless and his empathy and care for the young addict. The kid's girlfriend happens to be a drug addict who haven't quit her habit days and her use put the young man at risk after using drugs he was supposed to sell.
And that becomes Joe's crusade in saving himself, saving the kid and finding love, even though there might be a risk of losing it. Will he ever be able to help the kid without having a relapse? Wouldn't it be better to become just a hero of himself rather than maybe a martyr for others? What is the best choice? Be ready for some challenging thoughts.
Since that kind of thematic is close to home on certain levels, I felt really strong about the characters, their situations, their up's and down's with a high intensity. Sure, there's plenty of great humored moments where you can feel at ease and have some laugh, then there's also the very mature relationship between Joe and Sarah, but it was the dramatic dark elements that got me fully immersed. Joe is put in such a tough situation without alternatives, and we as audience keep struggling to find one when the scenario is presented to him. And throughout his journey you'll keep asking yourself about Joe's choices and what would affect him or others had he acted differently.
Laverty and Loach compose a film filled with heart, urgency, and one that can transform lives. Unlike his more politically themed films, this is possibly his most accessible work since "Kes".
I simply loved this movie, nothing wrong with it. I loved every bit of surprise possible. Peter Mullan is a phenomenal lead actor with a breathtaking performance, well-deserved of his Best Actor prize in Cannes; and Louise Goodall is just as a fascinating. And there's also Gary Lewis as Joe's best mate and David Hayman. Apart from them, most of the other actors are local people from the city. I'm taking this movie for life, as a powerful experience as cinema can bring to affect life in a positive way, even if the outcome desired goes different than what we think. 10/10
P. S.: Shoutout to the filmmakers from making Joe's team to wear Brazil jersey on their final game. That was a huge hilarious moment.
Joe Kavanagh (Peter Mullan) leads a quiet life in Glasgow, taking the local soccer player team in games, and helping everyone in need. But Joe also happens to be an alcoholic in recovery for a couple of months. Since he tells right on the first scene during his AA meeting, and later on we have this portrayal of such a good natured man with a big heart he is, we wonder about the personal tragedy in his life that made him look at life and say "I can't drink anymore". It's usually a personal decision or the intervention from family and friends, forced or not. But that's his life, he's trying to change really hard, by also becoming the sponsor of a young addict (David McKay) who's following the program with him, trying to stay away from problem. Another good chance of shot at redemption comes from Sarah Downie (Louise Goodall), a health worker who checks out the kid's life and his family and Joe soon feels romantically interested on her.
In between dates and nights out, a relationship begins and little by little we fall in love with those characters. They feel genuine, real, and their goodness is such a breath of fresh air in terms of cinema and of life that for a moment you start to believe in people who have those kind of approach in personal relations, helping each other, being thoughtful and all.
As everything goes well, Joe doesn't drink and keeps his routine avoiding habits and people from using days, but he cannot escape the place, that poor part of Glasgow where addiction is present in certain places, very near him. And the unexpected turning point for Joe comes in the form of being too selfless and his empathy and care for the young addict. The kid's girlfriend happens to be a drug addict who haven't quit her habit days and her use put the young man at risk after using drugs he was supposed to sell.
And that becomes Joe's crusade in saving himself, saving the kid and finding love, even though there might be a risk of losing it. Will he ever be able to help the kid without having a relapse? Wouldn't it be better to become just a hero of himself rather than maybe a martyr for others? What is the best choice? Be ready for some challenging thoughts.
Since that kind of thematic is close to home on certain levels, I felt really strong about the characters, their situations, their up's and down's with a high intensity. Sure, there's plenty of great humored moments where you can feel at ease and have some laugh, then there's also the very mature relationship between Joe and Sarah, but it was the dramatic dark elements that got me fully immersed. Joe is put in such a tough situation without alternatives, and we as audience keep struggling to find one when the scenario is presented to him. And throughout his journey you'll keep asking yourself about Joe's choices and what would affect him or others had he acted differently.
Laverty and Loach compose a film filled with heart, urgency, and one that can transform lives. Unlike his more politically themed films, this is possibly his most accessible work since "Kes".
I simply loved this movie, nothing wrong with it. I loved every bit of surprise possible. Peter Mullan is a phenomenal lead actor with a breathtaking performance, well-deserved of his Best Actor prize in Cannes; and Louise Goodall is just as a fascinating. And there's also Gary Lewis as Joe's best mate and David Hayman. Apart from them, most of the other actors are local people from the city. I'm taking this movie for life, as a powerful experience as cinema can bring to affect life in a positive way, even if the outcome desired goes different than what we think. 10/10
P. S.: Shoutout to the filmmakers from making Joe's team to wear Brazil jersey on their final game. That was a huge hilarious moment.