Joe Bell (2020) User Reviews

The movie does what it needed to do most

[rbstern · 7/10 · 19 December 2021]

What I like most about this movie is how poignantly it portrays Jadin's life, struggles and death, via a very good performance by Reid Miller. For most of us, going about our everyday lives, we don't have to deal with that kind of soul crushing, emotional distress. He's worthy of our sympathy, and because of that, it makes Joe Bell's pain easier to relate to.

Mark Wahlberg does a credible job. Really liked Gary Sinise's performance.

walking with thoughts

[ferguson-6 · 5/10 · 22 July 2021]

Greetings again from the darkness. Given his track record, Mark Wahlberg is not the guy that first comes to mind for a message movie about tolerance and inclusion. On the other hand, he's perfectly cast as a macho Oregon dad struggling with his own prejudices when his son comes out as gay. Director Marcus Green (MONSTERS AND MEN, 2018) is working with a script co-written by Diana Ossana and the late, great Larry McMurtry, and though the film touches on some topics of conflict, it does so in a manner that plays comfortably for mainstream audiences. Mr. McMurtry passed away earlier this year, and the two co-writers shared an Oscar for their screenplay of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2015).

Wahlberg plays Joe Bell, and the film is based on the true story of Bell's decision to walk across America - from Oregon to New York City in honor of his son Jadin (played well by Reid Miller). Oregon was home, but the Big Apple was where Jadin dreamed of living - a place more accepting of him. We witness some of the relentless bullying and abuse Jadin endured at school and the Principal's appalling reaction, and we also see his home life: a dad who tries to avoid the issue and a loving mother (Connie Britton) who is not a woman of action.

While on his tribute walk, Joe stops at schools and community centers to tell the story of Jadin and express the importance of kindness and tolerance. Of course, this is also a time for some personal emotional cleansing for Joe ... an act of atonement, if you will. There is a twisty plot device that is evidently supposed to be a surprise, but there was no need to make it such - it would have still worked just fine. One of the best sequences occurs when Joe crosses paths with a small town Sheriff played by Gary Sinise. It's a cathartic few minutes that allows a fine actor (Sinise) to play the role of a father unloading the burden of guilt.

The past few years have inspired many of us to face our personal prejudices and perspectives, and this message movie reminds us that homophobia still exists and often overpowers the kindness of others. Jadin's essay describing being "surrounded by people that hate you" probably hits home for far too many.

Opening in theaters on July 23, 2021.

Affecting Drama About Tolerance, Regret, and Healing

[peterscarpinato · 7/10 · 23 July 2021]

Going in, I had an idea how this movie would play out. A dad version of the Sigourney Weaver film Prayers For Bobby came to mind. But this was different. Joe Bell (Mark Wahlberg) certainly made his mistakes but tried his best to love and accept his son's sexuality despite the backdrop of intolerant rural Oregon. His subsequent trek across the country with his anti bullying message was a journey by foot but also an emotional and cathartic one.

I didn't know this true story and I recommend that you don't read up on it before the film. I'm glad I didn't because a couple of times the story went in a direction that was completely unexpected. One, a smart director choice. The second, a tragic reality.

Performances were strong across the board. Mark Wahlberg has come a long way as an actor and he delivers an excellent performance here. Reid Miller who plays his son Jaden was also outstanding.

Will the right people see this and be impacted by it? Probably not. Nevertheless, it's a moving story that deserves to be told.

Good movie of a difficult subject.

[TxMike · 9 January 2022]

It was less than ten years ago that Joe Bell lost his gay son and then decided to walk from Oregon to New York. He felt he had to do it, on the way he took opportunities to speak to crowds, especially students and parents in school assemblies. His message was simple but unrefined, bullying is bad and we all need to be more accepting of those who are different.

This is based on real people and their true story. It is a good movie of a difficult subject. After seeing it, and now noticing 12.5% of the IMDb votes are "1", it makes it clear that society will never be accepting of those who are different, especially those who are not heterosexual.

My wife and I viewed it at home on Amazon streaming movies. Truly the high point for me was Brandi Carlile singing "The Joke" during the end credits.

Heartbreaking performance by Mark Wahlberg

[trinaboice · 7/10 · 24 August 2021]

IN A NUTSHELL: This dramatic movie is based on the true story of a small town, working-class father who embarks on a solo walk across the U. S. to crusade against bullying after his son is tormented in high school for being gay. The film is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green.

This is one of those movies that the critics absolutely hated, rating it at an embarrassingly low score of 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences really enjoy it, giving it a 77%. What did YOU think of the movie? Comment down below! I'd love to know your score!

THINGS I LIKED: I adore Mark Wahlberg in everything he does and he does everything well: drama, comedy, action. He gives a strong, powerful performance, as expected, and is one of the producers of the film. Rumor has it that Wahlberg invited young Reid Miller to his house for breakfast just to tell him in person that he landed the role of Jadin Bell. Awww, what a nice guy.

And speaking of Reid Miller. He's perfectly believable in this role.

Other talented cast members are Gary Sinise and Connie Britton.

Sadly, this is Larry McMurtry's last screenplay because he died just before the release.

Cute scene about Lady Gaga's songs.

You get to see some real video footage and images of the real people this movie is about at the end of the film. I always love that.

There's a sucker-punch moment that I didn't see coming. Nice job.

The story itself is heartbreaking and important.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: I thought it was interesting when the son told his dad, "It's my life, Dad. Not yours. " While that's definitely true, the son's life choices DID affect the dad's life.

The timeline can be a bit confusing as it bounces around.

Don't watch the trailer before you see the movie so that you don't see any spoilers.

It's a painful, terribly sad movie.

Some viewers complain that the movie doesn't dive deeply enough, but it does do something to keep the conversation of acceptance and tolerance going. Its heart is definitely in the right place.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Profanity, crude language, including F-bombs Two gay teens kiss Ugly comments about gays Bullying Family Parenting You see some Drag Queens at a gay bar

l.

Dont get all the hate

[Alexander_Blanchett · 7/10 · 20 August 2021]

Not a bad film at all, so I dont get the negative reviews. Yes it is sometimes a bit cliched and sometimes a bit too emotionally over the top with some cheapish effects but I think in the essence it is a very important message the film spreads.

What I found was a bit hard to get into it at the beginning - I didn't know anything about the story before watching the film and usually I dont google a real live story I dont know about before entering the film that portrays that story. Maybe thats why I liked it and connected to it after a while. I think no matter what the quality of the film is - the story is real and it is important that it is shared. Maybe people were expecting a second Brokeback Mountain. I didn't. I expected a tender father-son-story which I got and on the top of this I got a story of much more importance. Ok I stop preaching. Back to the quality of the movie. Yes it was corny at times. Yes it was overwhelmingly sentimental at other points. It however contains some really decent acing. Biggest shout out to Reid Miller who was fantastic. He will go places. Such a beautiful and honest performance. Didn't feel like acting. Major thumbs up!

Mark Wahlberg in the lead was not bad either. He had some really good moments especially towards the end. Still it was not groundbreaking but in his own legacy the performance surely ranks in the Top 10. Also Connie Britton was memorable and nice to see Gary Sinise back with a short but beautiful performance.

I think the film mostly suffered from its direction. I was not on par with some creative decisions. The screenplay was also not out of this world, especially considering the writers involved. Still, and I am going back to preaching. This film is important and in my opinion spread this important message quite effectively.

Battle and fighting for rights change kind of film.

[blanbrn · 6/10 · 24 July 2021]

"Joe Bell" a film based on a true story involves a little mix of pain, drama, and coming to terms with tragedy. The story is gripping and touching as Joe(in a raw performance from Mark) decides to journey and travel by land and foot across country to raise awareness for his bullied and dead long lost gay son. The flashbacks and emotions of the film are touching and sometimes hard to take as it's a fight for human rights and freedom, only to end in stark tragic reality. Maybe not the best film, yet it's one that fights and stands for something.

Falls Flat

[harrisonj-46503 · 4/10 · 23 July 2021]

This is a movie based on a true story. The film delves into a very relevant, painful topic, yet misses the mark. There was an opportunity with this story to be emotionally powerful and thoughtful. Instead, for some unknown reason, a plot device used to shock or possibly trick the audience is a bad choice, causing more eye-rolling than eye-welling emotions. There is also a chance to hit home with the ending, conveying a message that falls well short, leaving viewers to be glad it's over rather than pondering their own prejudices and choices. The bright spot in this movie are the portrayals from Mark Wahlberg and especially Reid Miller, who delivers a powerful performance.

(SPOILER ALERT) Full disclosure, I was an extra in this movie as the semi driver responsible for Joe's death.

Wahlberg can act?

[kosmasp · 8/10 · 9 March 2022]

Yes some may be surprised ... even shocked ... even more shocked than to find out what is actually going on here. I did not know of the man of the title ... I did not know of his struggle ... his pain ... his issues ... and his walk (of shame) ... actually not exactly his shame. Or not entirely his to carry ... but you'll find out if you watch the movie.

Really rich drama that tells us what society is like ... what bullying does to people ... and how individuals have to carry that weight ... or not. It is a heavy drama and a really good one. Stop bullying I'd say ... but unfortunately it is not as easy as that.

I had no idea what the movie would be about, if you like dramas and twists along the way ... I suggest you watch it without any knowledge yourself ... it's a tough one.

Very Flawed Execution, But The General Premise Is On The Right Track

[zkonedog · 6/10 · 2 October 2021]

If looking at the general reviews/ratings of "Joe Bell", one could be forgiven for thinking it is a train-wreck. It isn't remotely that bad. No classic, to be sure, but the subject matter and characters all "mean well", so to speak. The main culprit here is casting and overall script execution.

For a very basic overview, "Joe Bell" tells the story of its titular character (played by Mark Wahlberg), who is walking across the United States to spread an anti-bullying message in the wake of his gay son Jadin's (Reid Miller) death caused by school bullying. Along the way, he is haunted (or is it blessed?) by a vision of Jadin, guiding his path of self-discovery.

I'll start with the biggest problem that prevents this film from being much above average: It is based on a true story, and the end-credits photos of the real Bell family are largely more emotional than any of the dramatic material. That is obviously a large failure on the part of the film-makers.

Despite the deep and relevant themes of bullying, homosexuality, and self-discovery present here, the last screenplay from Larry McMurtry (he of "Lonesome Dove" fame) just can't bring that all out in a coherent way for viewers. The film sort of flits here and there for the 90-minute runtime and never tries to really sink its teeth into anything. Is it a movie about the trials of being a gay teenager in a small town? The perils of bullying? One man's self-discovery about the role he may have played in his son's death? "Joe Bell" tries to be all of these things, but doesn't really capture any of them to their full capacity.

Not helping matters is the mis-casting of Wahlberg (he's fine here, but seemingly not the epitome of the real-life character) and the awkward pre/post death Jadin mechanism that never really fools anyone.

All of that being said, there is such a wealth of emotion and themes just dying to burst out from "Joe Bell" that I give it somewhat of the benefit of the doubt. In general, I enjoyed the arc of the piece and it was nice to see supporting roles from Connie Britton and Gary Sinise.

Overall, I found "Joe Bell" to be better than the general consensus, but also not something I'll ever revisit. Truth be told, a documentary on the subject's real figures might have been even more effective in this case. But the messages of acceptance, tolerance, and anti-bullying are hard-hitting and mean well-enough.

Good intentions don't make a good movie

[movieman-227 · 3/10 · 18 July 2021]

I'm puzzled as to why Mark Wahlberg (and a lot of other very talented people, including screenwriters Mary McMurtry and Diana Ossona) thought the story of Joe and Jadin Bell deserved its own movie.

If you know what happened to the real-life father and son, you'll know what I mean. (No spoilers.) The ending has zero sense of feel-good moral uplift--no matter how contrived it might have played--because the "true story" makes that impossible. It just feels...kind of pathetic and deeply sad.

There's one good scene in the entire movie, and it's a heart-to-heart talk between Wahlberg and Gary Sinise as a sympathetic cop who picks him up on the side of the road and gives him a hot meal.

The rest, sad to say, is a well-intentioned big-screen After School Special that fails on nearly every conceivable level.

When Gary Sinese is only as good as everyone else, you know the acting is top notch.

[jeff-85-126561 · 8/10 · 20 December 2021]

Mark Wahlberg acts his ass off in this one. No guns or aliens or spies to hide behind. This is a brilliant performance. And the young actor Reid Miller is amazing. Connie Britten was better than ever and child Maxwell Jenkins steals a scene or two.

Not for the faint of heart or light viewing. 8/10.

Wahlberg

[yusufpiskin · 7/10 · 13 August 2021]

Mark Wahlberg is struggling to be a good actor. He appears in numerous big-budget movies in all high-budget box office projects. Which I think does well. He and Reid Miller made a good couple in this movie. Reinaldo Marcus Green did a pretty neat job. The year may be 2021, but homophobia is still a big problem. Especially for a teenager. Such films are important for awareness.

Be better

[iamkrause · 3/10 · 13 August 2021]

This is one of those movies that deals with an important subject matter. Something that everyone involved with can pat themselves on the back and brag about how awesome they are for being a part of it. It's got award bait written all over it. But it's just not that great.

The plot device where Marky Mark talks to his dead kid's ghost is distracting and silly, and takes away any seriousness the film needed to be effective. The Marky Mark character comes across as buffoonish and completely unlikeable, making it difficult to care about his ordeal. This is based on a true story, and if the real-life guy wasn't that annoying, I think they did him a disservice.

The rest is just paint-by-the-numbers cliched dreck. Total Lifetime Movie of the Week level stuff. There are so many "you're supposed to be sad here" moments, that it resembles the way a bad horror movie relies on cheap jump scares instead of actually being scary. Throw in a few musical interludes with Marky Mark walking down a road looking haggard and pathetic, some terse wife interaction, and a splash of him still being a dick to his other kid, and ya got a movie... I guess?

The acting is fine, I blame everything on the script and direction. Marky Mark was Marky Mark, but he was fine. The actor that plays the gay kid did a good job, albeit too good perhaps. Could've dialed it down a notch, but again I blame the direction. The mom did a great job of being a mom in a movie not about the mom. The younger brother got to cry in one scene. They were all fine. Gary Sinise as the sheriff was pretty damn great.

The problem with this movie is that the people who actually need to see it will either never watch it, or make fun of it if they do. This movie will not change any hearts or minds. It's only gonna stroke the egos of the producers into thinking they did something good and important. The sad truth of the matter is that they might actually have been able to do that, IF they were more interested in the craft of effective film making, and less interested in getting back-pats from their soulless peers at parties. I lost a friend to suicide due to bullying, and this movie is an insult to his memory. I wanted to like this movie. I wanted it to be important. I wanted it to inspire.

I didn't like it. It wasn't important. It disappointed.

A beautiful story

[Gordon-11 · 28 August 2021]

The story is beautiful. The ending is truly touching. I enjoyed watching it.

Dead mans shoes (gay son version)

[Narna74 · 6/10 · 10 August 2021]

If you watch a lot of movies you'll work out the plot pretty quickly but that doesn't mean it ruins the film. Its about a fathers guilt and his shot at redemption and the director as attempted to use a device to explain the fathers thoughts. That's it really, worth a watch.

sincere

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 January 2022]

Joe Bell (Mark Wahlberg) and Lola Lathrop (Connie Britton) live in a small conservative Oregon town with their two sons, Jadin (Reid Miller) and Joseph. Jadin is gay and constantly bullied at school. Joe struggles to support his son which often results in his anger. Some time later, Joe is walking across America to New York City to raise awareness on bullying.

There is a specific secret being trafficked during the first act. It's not necessary and I saw through it right away anyways. The good news is that the charade isn't maintain for that much longer. Father and son could still do the walk without the secret. It's a very basic story told sincerely. There are some harrowing moments. Some of this is powerful but it does have a melodramatic streak. It's a worthy film.

Very strong message!

[bryvill · 7/10 · 30 July 2021]

The film projects a very strong message which includes inclusivity, tolerance and love for all! A lot of messages lacking towards the end of the film, as you might ask yourself, what's next? Or what implications of the end scenes? I was hoping at least like a closed caption, or assuming the mother continued to walk scenes or so, but showed a series of pictures and some videos of the real persons, which is understandable, but if it show something to bring a more in depth, that would help or bring more justice to its message,etc, overall, this film should be seen by all!

should have googled joe bell first

[gabaod2 · 5/10 · 12 August 2021]

From the basic plot here on imdb I thought this could have been quite a powerful film.. But sadly it was far from that. You think oh its about a man who wants to spread awareness how bullying can cause harm and we as humans need to learn to focus on our positive energy and accept each human as they are.

But then halfway through you find out its about a man who was mean and erratic towards his family and he was walking out of shame because his past attitude killed his child.

Than at the end he gets what he was deserved. A man who abandons his only remaining child and wife to walk across the country to give him self disobedience punishment for neglecting his family, not to mention how poorly he tried to spread awareness about bullying... like this story deserves no attention, or if it does its more about how can the current millennials become caring and loving and instructive parents to the next generation so society no longer has the filth that joe bell was.

Wow, the critics went hard on this one, nitpicking every detail.

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 9/10 · 15 August 2021]

I went into this knowing only it's based on a true story and Wahlberg is walking across America because his gay son was bullied. I never even saw the trailer, and to be honest, I held off until there was nothing better to watch to see this film, only to laugh at Wahlberg playing the dad of a gay son (the last actor I'd expect to play that role), and expected it to be boring and not even finish the film - based on the reviews I read.

Man, was I wrong. This film hits every nerve, with some shocks and gut-punches. It's about much more than the plot summary states. It is very powerful, and will leave you emotional way past the closing credits. I truly am shocked at some of the critics reviews; instead of nitpicking, they should've sat back, followed the events of this true story, and read between the lines for some very powerful messages. There is so much more to this film than meets the eye.

I actually enjoyed the way the story was told, and the flashbacks were placed perfectly. The directing and cinematography was spot-on, and the screenplay was excellent. The 94 min runtime was just right, and the pacing couldn't have been better. The score and soundtrack were perfect, and that last song will just keep tugging at your heart-strings as the credits roll by.

Casting and performances were outstanding, and although Wahlberg should've used some onions to shed some real tears in a few scenes, his tone, facial expressions and demeanor in my opinion made his performance Oscar-worthy.

This is a must-see film for every father out there, regardless of your beliefs or religion. I feel this film is one of the most powerful films - based on true events, of the decade. It's a well deserved 9/10 from me. Again, wow.

Not amazing, but solid nonetheless, with a spectacular performance.....

[standsomething2 · 7/10 · 26 August 2021]

So I put that this contains spoilers, but In my opinion, they arent really even spoilers if you know even the very basics about Joe and Jadin Bell's stories in general, as at the time, their stories became pretty well know. But if you are someone who has never heard of them or their stories, then yea, some spoilers ahead.

Let me start off by saying that this isn't some insanely fantastic film by any means, but it is a good movie nonetheless, about the problem that bullying is in today's society, especially in schools. Bullying is responsible for many kids taking their own lives, or doing other drastic things, like school shootings due to all the built up anger and frustration, because they just couldn't take it any more, especially when they ask for help and essentially do not receive any of the help that they so desperately needed. I too was bullied growing up. Not for the same reasons that Jadin Bell was, but bullied nonetheless, and when you have so many of your peers telling you that you are a worthless loser, or fat, or gay, etc, it can become a lot to deal with, and after a while of the constant abuse, you start to actually question whether the bullies are right about you or not. Are you a worthless loser? Do you deserve the torment because you are gay? It can lead someone down a very dark path that unfortunately, way too often results in the person just deciding to end it all because they can't take it any more. It's a real shame too, because you never know what these kids could have grown up to be if they weren't tormented, or if they actually received the help that they asked for and needed. And this movie does a good job of showcasing that topic, and what it can do to the families of these kids as well. What stands out for me the most about this film is the honestly powerful performance given by Reid Miller as Jadin Bell. Watching this I couldn't help but wonder why this kid hasn't Booked A LOT more movies, or even tv series of some sort. This is the only thing I've seen him in, but from this movie alone he seems like he has some real talent, with a bright future as an actor. I see absolutely no reason at all why he wouldn't be having roles thrown at him left and right, from all corners of the film and tv industry lol. If this kids career doesnt take off after this movie gets around to all of Hollywood, then there is some crazy nonsense going on within the industry that needs to be looked into for sure. If not for his performance, I probably would have given this movie a 4 or 5 star rating, but with the powerful performance that Reid Miller gave, I rightfully bumped it up a few starts. Mark Wahlberg is his usual talented self of course, but his isn't the stand out performance in this movie in my opinion. That distinction, as I've basically said this entire review, goes to Reid Miller. Hopeful to see much more of his work in the future. Kid deserves it.

Dumb Bell

[ozjosh03 · 4/10 · 20 August 2021]

There must be something about the story of the real Joe Bell that somehow didn't make the final cut. Because on the strength of the movie alone, Joe is a pretty poor excuse for a hero. And why anyone thought his story added up to an important and uplifting parable about bullying remains a mystery. Sure, the guy is understandably grief-stricken about his gay son's suicide, and he goes to somewhat extraordinary lengths to atone for his own guilt. That said, his insensitivity and disregard of the boy's feelings seems to have contributed to if not actually triggered the suicide. Then he takes off on his walk of atonement, leaving a grief-stricken (and apparently alcoholic) wife and a surviving son also in need of a father. It's selfish, to say the least, And nothing about any of the speeches Joe makes or the encounters he has along the way suggest he's much of an inspiration to anyone. All in all, I was increasingly annoyed by Mark Wahlberg's scenery-chewing, look-at-me-playing-a-hick, where's-my-award? Performance. And, it has to be said, the Sixth-Sense twist just further cheapened the story. For me, the only real compensation was Reid Miller's charismatic performance as Jadin, Joe's son. He's one to watch.

Haters missed the message

[Pukeonthestreet · 9/10 · 21 December 2021]

This is a very well done movie with a great message about a real person that was trying to make a change in the world. If you watch it you'll experience some serious emotions and one of the parts is so well done you'll be blown away.

I wanted more

[ChuckeeO · 7/10 · 13 September 2021]

First off, I am the inland northwest and a small town in Idaho (smaller than LaGrande, OR) and know what's it like to be gay in high school. For my own survival back in the early 80s, I kept that part of me hidden as much aa possible. I know what Jadin was going through on some levels.

Now to this movie. I don't know how much those who know Joe, Jadin and the rest of the Bell family but I hope they had a voice in telling us who these people were. One other reviewer said that Joe wasn't as annoying as was written in the movie. The journey was important for Joe but I wanted to see and know more about how it began and came to be. It's played in the movie as a sudden epiphany and then he's putting on his shoes and out the door. For me, more of that emotional journey to go on the road might have helped make more of an impact. How did his wife and other son handle that decision?

(Spoiler) The "gimmick" of Jadin on the journey with him and the revelation shocked my husband but I saw the trailer which made it obvious to me.

Mark Wahlburg has proven himself as an actor and this was a good performance but the script should've given him more. Reid Miller is great. Connie Britton is wasted here (and that wig?). It was good to see Gary Sinise on screen again but it's so brief.

The movie is worth the watch but I expected more of a heart-wrenching story. Reid Miller's scene walking out of house, reading another hateful text and calling friends for help was the most emotional scene.for me.

Wanted so much to like this movie, but......

[Chartreuse1 · 5/10 · 21 August 2021]

For such serious subject matter, the movie missed the mark. No pun intended. Wahlberg's performance was overly acted and the movie was all over the place with a lot of continuity issues and time jumps. A lot of the grit that could have made it a great movie. Instead, it was glossed over. Would not recommend and that's a shame.