Director/Writer: John
Patrick Shanley
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg
Ryan, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Abe Vigoda, Dan Hedaya, Ossie Davis, Barry
McGovern, Amanda Plummer, Nathan Lane
There’s nothing like a
little existential romance to brighten your day. My wife was feeling blue when
I decided to put this one in and soon her day was bright again. That’s a little
strange just because “Joe Versus the Volcano” is more than a little bit
strange, but therein lays its charm.
This movie, the first of
three romantic comedies pairing Tom Hanks with Meg Ryan, was not a huge hit
when it was released. It rubbed mainstream audiences the wrong way. This is
probably because it begins in such a somber manner, but there is so much humor
to be found in the depressing work world we are introduced to at the beginning
of this wonderful film. There’s the boss who keeps saying the same things over
and over, the fluorescent lights, the hole in the wall where the coffee is
located.
American audiences have been
trained to expect their films to be something I call Hollywood realistic, which
isn’t realistic at all, but more like tha fantasy we’d like life to be. “Joe
Versus the Volcano” never attempts to be either Hollywood realistic or really realistic.
From its production design to Ryan’s triple role, this movie moves in a
different realm of artistry than most movies. Director John Patrick Shanley is
willing to throw in just about any detail to make a point. There are so many
little details for the audience to discover throughout multiple screenings.
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