"Joe Versus the Volcano" is one of those things that never fared well with audiences despite the usually glowing presences of 1990's
dynamic duo of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (they followed with the better films "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got M@il"). Despite liking the initial
premise it's one of those films that I kept avoided for a long time but always mantained that someday I would watch it. Until today and a near tragedy
was confirmed. A near tragedy because it isn't a total waste of time, neither a failure on acting terms as the couple always manage to entertain us
easily. But it's not a compelling film worthy of much attention, and as a comedy it does not deliver the required element the genre must provide: the
laughs.
The idea of a depressed man (Hanks) who discovers that he has few months to live after getting diagnosed with a rare disease (the peculiar "brain fog") who decides to become part of a human sacrifice to save an island by throwing himself into a volcano, seems slightly interesting. And before the whole ordeal he'll spend some quality time enjoying his final days as he's sponsored by a rich man (Lloyd Bridges) who'll pay for everything he needs (as he has a special interest on that island) One wonders where the humor could come from such scenario, but there were amusing things to be found.
Problem is the overall mood of a very depressive film that works with themes that simply can't be funny, it's very reflective about the main character as it is also a quite egotist about many of the man's reactions to everything. It is somewhat enjoyable until it got to a breaking point of no return and I couldn't care for Joe anymore. He and daddy's girl survival after the yacht sinks during a typhoon was highly critical for me as a scene later, when it's all quiet and calm at sea he begins singing, dancing and playing improvised golf on one of his many trunks. People died back there, and despite we all know that he finally found some meaning in his life and it's more accepting of his fate, that "coldness" simply doesn't work on a comedy; in a drama I'd a little more receptive and understanding. And another similar scenario happens later on.
For all the small enjoyable things such as Hanks and Ryan acting (she plays three different characters on the course of the film and it's amazing what she can do to each particular role), or even the fantastic fake scenarios that permeate the film, very expensive designs bought by the winning team of exec. Producers Spielberg, Kennedy and Marshall, yet it's not all that worthy to think you fell entertained by it. Depressed people will get more depressed as Joe begins making a whole life exhamination about his wasted years; and more resolved individuals will begin to make some existential questionings. You won't feel better about yourself, unless if you're in a that kind of Joe of wanting to make some resolutions and start new things. He may inspire some people.
This small occupation of celluloid was written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, a great playwright best remembered for the romantic comedy "Moonstruck", for which he won a screenplay Oscar; and the film adaptation of his drama play "Doubt" with a phenomenal cast. The brilliant latter film was his return to film direction right after...this movie here and that makes 18 years in between. I can't blame his direction on "Joe..." as some of his humored bits shown through many signs at Joe's work are well thought-out, but I can certainly fault him for his script as there's almost no way it could have been saved by someone else. It simply does not work, and it's not funny. 5/10.
The idea of a depressed man (Hanks) who discovers that he has few months to live after getting diagnosed with a rare disease (the peculiar "brain fog") who decides to become part of a human sacrifice to save an island by throwing himself into a volcano, seems slightly interesting. And before the whole ordeal he'll spend some quality time enjoying his final days as he's sponsored by a rich man (Lloyd Bridges) who'll pay for everything he needs (as he has a special interest on that island) One wonders where the humor could come from such scenario, but there were amusing things to be found.
Problem is the overall mood of a very depressive film that works with themes that simply can't be funny, it's very reflective about the main character as it is also a quite egotist about many of the man's reactions to everything. It is somewhat enjoyable until it got to a breaking point of no return and I couldn't care for Joe anymore. He and daddy's girl survival after the yacht sinks during a typhoon was highly critical for me as a scene later, when it's all quiet and calm at sea he begins singing, dancing and playing improvised golf on one of his many trunks. People died back there, and despite we all know that he finally found some meaning in his life and it's more accepting of his fate, that "coldness" simply doesn't work on a comedy; in a drama I'd a little more receptive and understanding. And another similar scenario happens later on.
For all the small enjoyable things such as Hanks and Ryan acting (she plays three different characters on the course of the film and it's amazing what she can do to each particular role), or even the fantastic fake scenarios that permeate the film, very expensive designs bought by the winning team of exec. Producers Spielberg, Kennedy and Marshall, yet it's not all that worthy to think you fell entertained by it. Depressed people will get more depressed as Joe begins making a whole life exhamination about his wasted years; and more resolved individuals will begin to make some existential questionings. You won't feel better about yourself, unless if you're in a that kind of Joe of wanting to make some resolutions and start new things. He may inspire some people.
This small occupation of celluloid was written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, a great playwright best remembered for the romantic comedy "Moonstruck", for which he won a screenplay Oscar; and the film adaptation of his drama play "Doubt" with a phenomenal cast. The brilliant latter film was his return to film direction right after...this movie here and that makes 18 years in between. I can't blame his direction on "Joe..." as some of his humored bits shown through many signs at Joe's work are well thought-out, but I can certainly fault him for his script as there's almost no way it could have been saved by someone else. It simply does not work, and it's not funny. 5/10.