Joe vs. the Volcano

"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement."

I truly believe this is the most underrated film of all time. I saw it for the first time many, many years ago because it was a favorite of one of my good friends. I loved it at the time, but I hadn't seen it for ten years. Sharon and I watched it last night. It was fantastic. For one thing, I had forgotten how wonderfully directed it is. Every shot is perfect and there are so many little hints and foreshadowing and repetitive imagery.

The problem is it's marketed as a comedy. It's not a comedy. Sure, there are funny parts. But it's not a comedy. It's not really a drama either because it's too absurd to be dramatic. Maybe that's what it is - an absurdist film? Whatever else you call it, it's a hero's story. Joe is our everyman hero who upon learning he has a six months to live embarks on an adventure to give his life meaning. He gets advice from a wise old man, meets the girl of his dreams, nearly dies, comes to realize how precious life is, and takes a literal leap of faith.

And it's full of beautiful images like that moment when Joe is on the raft and the moon rises over the horizon.



Or when he takes Dede's hand in the beginning of the film and her hand is clenched. Conveying so much with so little. Or how about the very first shot of the mud puddle that sets the perfect mood for the beginning of the movie.

The dialogue is also crisp and real. And there area so many good quotes.

"I have no response to that."
"You don't feel good? Nobody feels good. After childhood it's a fact of life."
"Dear God, whose name I do not know, thank you for my life. I forgot how big . . . thank you . . thank you for my life."

And of course, the one I quoted at the beginning which bears repeating:

"My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement."

So if you haven't seen the movie, rent it. If you haven't seen it in many years, rent it. It's just really, really good.

Oh, and this is a great Joe vs. the Volcano site.