Joe Versus the Volcano (John Patrick Shanley, 1990)

[John Bored]

A forum search hardly yields a mention of this film?

I saw it the other night based on DVD Savant's recommendation and have to say that it's one of the most brightly humanistic films I've seen in a long while. No doubt there's more to it than its extremely modest fairy-tale-esque format implies, and I'm now interested in seeing what else John Patrick Shanley can do. More films should have such humility, and what a great and rare marriage between artistic and hollywood filmmaking. I'm particularly affected when artists aim to connect with one and all-- here the film language isn't a key to unlock a truer meaning, but a greater meaning perhaps within a film that has nothing to hide.

I hear a few people dislike the wacky, weirdly expressionistic ending. All I can say is that it works for me; the films' exuberance exceeds its bounds.

[flyonthewall2983]

Joe quitting his job ranks as probably one of Tom's best moments on-screen.

[colinr0380]

This was a nice My Year of Flops article on the film.

[ogygia avenue]

As much as the leads inspire antipathy now, I have to say that this was probably their finest hour.

I really enjoyed this film and should see it again...

[Steven H]

Its always been a favorite of mine (a couple people, including myself, put it on their "Top ten when you were ten" list). It introduced me to the Inkspots at the very least (and their version of I Cover the Waterfront still hasn't been bettered in my opinion.) The cameos by Abe Vigoda, Ossie Davis, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, and Dan Hedaya are all unforgettable (Nathan Lane appears as one of the first jewish/polynesian tribespeople you see).

Also, I was an upscale luggage salesman for a while, and I always wanted to use the Barry McGovern line from the film, but never quite did: "Very exciting... as a luggage problem."

[domino harvey]

Boy did I hate this as a kid. My mom dragged me to the theatre on opening day and I've had no desire to revisit the film, though obviously it could now be a masterpiece to my adult tastes.

[Belmondo]

Thanks for the link to the "My Year of Flops" article; although the next person who uses the word "twee" will be taken outside and shot. I loved the movie too and thought the use of stylized sets instead of real locations was a brilliant stroke which perfectly conveyed the way in which the movie was meant to be appreciated. This was not a Broadway show, but it reminded me of the way of the way any number of shows were ruined (in my opinion) by opening them up on the big screen with real location shooting which loses the magic. This one went the other way and the magic remains.

[colinr0380]

I loved the movie too and thought the use of stylized sets instead of real locations was a brilliant stroke which perfectly conveyed the way in which the movie was meant to be appreciated.

I like to think of it as the optimistic Hollywood version of Brazil (perhaps what Sid Sheinberg was hoping for with his 'Love Conquers All' version?) with the demoralising office opening, the stylised locations, the flights of fantasy being real this time (though who knows there could be a missing alternate depressive ending of Hanks waking up at his desk! ) and the love interest being left behind and then turning up in Joe's life again and again, each time coming a bit closer to the ideal woman.

[cdnchris]

I actually loved this one when I was younger (I guess I would have been 12 when my dad took me to see it in the theater) but I haven't seen it in ages and always figured it would be one of those ones I'd come back to and not be so impressed with. But I remember liking a lot of sequences and still remember them, how his work environment was presented and how he quit, when he goes out shopping, Robert Stack (who is always cool) a scene I recall where he's on his raft and the sun rises and the use of "Blue Moon." I also remember thinking his luggage was super-cool.

After reading those articles I think I'll have to give this one a revisit, maybe pick it up the next time I see it. I remember it appealed to me in the way movies always appeal to young kids, but now I'm curious as to how I would see it now.

[ievenlostmycat]

and I'm now interested in seeing what else John Patrick Shanley can do

Well he did write the screenplay for 1995's masterpiece, Congo! Honestly, I just signed up here recently after browsing off and on for a year or so, but the "cult of the director" attitude that seems to be company policy here is sometimes just out of control.

[domino harvey]

Well he did write the screenplay for 1995's masterpiece, Congo!

Laura Linney's finest hour

[flyonthewall2983]

Well he did write the screenplay for 1995's masterpiece, Congo!

That's not even funny, I almost became the first casualty of boredom watching that. And I was 11.

[Cold Bishop]

and I'm now interested in seeing what else John Patrick Shanley can do

Honestly, I just signed up here recently after browsing off and on for a year or so, but the "cult of the director" attitude that seems to be company policy here is sometimes just out of control.

Because we all know Teri Schwartz carried the entire film on her back.

[colinr0380]

but the "cult of the director" attitude that seems to be company policy here is sometimes just out of control.

You'd better not visit the a_film_by group then!

[MichaelB]

but the "cult of the director" attitude that seems to be company policy here is sometimes just out of control.

I have very fond memories of Borat being more or less canonised as "un film de Larry Charles" in these forums - which rather neglected the fact that:

1. Charles was a replacement director, and Todd Phillips had already shot plenty of material;
2. The film already had an obvious auteur (initials SBC), but he wasn't the director, so presumably his views didn't count.

My other favourite example of auteurism gone mad was Cahiers' review of The History Boys, which didn't mention Alan Bennett once - not even in the accompanying credits. To add insult to injury, Nicholas Hytner was explicitly credited with originating various narrative elements that were present in Bennett's original play, never mind screenplay. True, Bennett probably isn't that well known in France - I imagine he's unusually difficult to translate effectively into another language - but I suspect Hytner would have been as horrified by that misattribution as I was!

[John Bored]

Honestly, I just signed up here recently after browsing off and on for a year or so, but the "cult of the director" attitude that seems to be company policy here is sometimes just out of control.

This seems more of a tangential comment. Joe in any case has a firm stamp on it, from the script to the oddball misenscene down the line to the acting, with respect to the talent of the leads. The man hasn't directed any other films than this; it's far more overzealous to pass him off because he cashed in on a few hollywood scripts.

[ievenlostmycat]

Honestly, I just signed up here recently after browsing off and on for a year or so, but the "cult of the director" attitude that seems to be company policy here is sometimes just out of control.

This seems more of a tangential comment. Joe in any case has a firm stamp on it, from the script to the oddball misenscene down the line to the acting, with respect to the talent of the leads. The man hasn't directed any other films than this; it's far more overzealous to pass him off because he cashed in on a few hollywood scripts.

It is tangential as I was using your comment as a stepping stone to express an observation I have of this site (even if it is a generalization). Didn't mean to single you or Shanley out, per se. As for Joe vs the Volcano, I saw it when I was a kid or early teen and thought it was crap. It's possible I'd have a greater appreciation for it now. I'm not holding my breath over Shanley though.