X
- 1990
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 42 m
- 1990
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 42 m
Summary When a hypochondriac learns that he is dying, he accepts an offer to throw himself in a volcano at a tropical island, and along the way there, learns to truly live.
Directed By: John Patrick Shanley
Written By: John Patrick Shanley
- 1990
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 42 m
- 1990
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 42 m
Joe Versus the Volcano
45
5.5
Where to Watch
Summary When a hypochondriac learns that he is dying, he accepts an offer to throw himself in a volcano at a tropical island, and along the way there, learns to truly live.
Directed By: John Patrick Shanley
Written By: John Patrick Shanley
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
45
56% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
33% Negative
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
45
56% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
33% Negative
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
It is not an entirely successful movie, but it is new and fresh and not shy of taking chances. And the dialogue in it is actually worth listening to, because it is written with wit and romance.
Passing from the depressing grey-blue of Joe's office through LA's neon brashness to the abstract colours of the later scenes, this engaging fable builds from a slow bubble to an outright eruption of comedy, romance and tear-jerking sentiment. If you go with the flow of Joe's Capraesque journey of self-discovery, you may be swept along.
A thoroughly captivating romantic adventure in the grand tradition of the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 40s. With a plot flavored with elements from such classics as the Carole Lombard-Fredric March romp NOTHING SACRED and Frank Capra's delightful masterpiece YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, this Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan outing is writer-director John Patrick Shanley's gift to moviegoers who are tired of films distinctive only for their excessive violence, sex, gutter language, or a combination of all three.
The film works best once Hanks gets to the island along with love interest Meg Ryan. But it takes too long to get there. A fresh but needlessly drawn-out story. [9 March 1990, p.C2]
Despite magic moments, this is so lop-sided in conception it's really only worth seeking out as a folly.
Shanley tries to make something courageous and symbolic out of the notion of jumping into a volcano, but his philosophizing is sentimental, heavy-handed and forced. The idea of doing something reckless and adventurous even becomes a bit depressing when it dawns on you that Shanley may have been taking his own advice with this movie, for less than glorious results. [9 Mar 1990, p.E3]
Somewhere along the line, Shanley let his gentle fable about the fear of love, responsibility and commitment degenerate into crude farce. And he has only himself to blame.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 14 User Ratings
5.5
14% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
71% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
14% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 14 User Ratings
5.5
14% Positive
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
71% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
14% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Production Company
Warner Bros.,
Amblin Entertainment,
Polyphony Digital
Release Date Mar 9, 1990
Duration 1 h 42 m
Rating PG
Tagline An Average Joe. An Adventurous Comedy.
Awards
20/20 Awards
• 1 Nomination
