Last year brought movie audiences one of the biggest comebacks of an actor in almost a decade with Matthew McConaughey in “Mud,” “Dallas Buyers Club” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” on the big screen and “True Detective” on the small screen.
This year, we’re reminded of another once-respected actor who has shown questionable taste in movie choices: Nicolas Cage.
Though probably not dedicated to the same career track as McConaughey, with “Left Behind” and “Outcast” looking less than stellar, Cage headlines his own southern success this summer on DVD and Blu-ray in David Gordon Green’s “Joe.”
The film also fittingly co-stars “Mud’s” Tye Sheridan, as, like “Mud,” it’s about a teen boy finding mentorship with a rugged and unlikely loner.
In a low-class Texan town, an ex-con named Joe (Cage) makes a living out of destroying dead trees in the forests with a rowdy but well-meaning team of tree choppers. When a teenager named Garry (Sheridan) asks if he and his dad (Gary Poulter) can work with his crew, Joe is reluctant but agrees after being impressed with Garry’s enthusiasm.
Garry and his family are new to town and need money, while Joe himself is looking for a fresh start. The teen’s father, who goes by the strange nickname “G-Dawg,” is a deadbeat who leaves Garry to take care of the family. Joe, meanwhile, is on the run from the law and has his own demons. From there, an unlikely friendship is born between the anti-hero and boy.
“Joe” returns filmmaker Green to his indie drama roots (he made the critical darling “All the Real Girls” a decade ago), after five years of directing Hollywood comedies like the stoner hit “Pineapple Express” and flops like “The Sitter.”
Just when his fans and critics were worried the director had completely sold out to Hollywood, he releases “Joe” and “Prince Avalanche” to much relief.
“Joe” might have viewers thinking of Jeff Nichols’ “Mud” at first, but by the end, Green has created his own southern masterpiece.
Cage has made a reputation out of spending his mid-career leading mediocre action flicks rather than dramas like “Leaving Las Vegas,” comedies like “Moonstruck” and bizarre adventure tales like “Raising Arizona,” “Adaptation” and “Wild at Heart.” But “Joe” succeeds at reminding viewers that he still does have a talent and presence to carry already-good material when he wants to. He delivers one of the best dramatic performances of his career to date.
For those who missed out on “Joe” when it was in theaters, it’s worth a second shot on DVD rental or streaming this summer.
mbianco@durangoherald.com. Megan Bianco is a movie reviewer and also contributes other entertainment-related features and articles.
