Saturday, 18 September 2021 18:58

Joe versus the Volcano






JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO

US, 1990, 102 minutes, Colour.
Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Abe Vigoda, Dan Hedaya, Amanda Plummer, Ossie Davis, Carol Kane.
Directed by John Patrick Shanley.

Joe Versus the Volcano is a very twee title. In fact, the film lives up to its name The film was written and directed by John Patrick Shanley, best-known for his Oscar winning screenplay of Moonstruck. Shanley also wrote the screenplays for the very interesting Five Corners as well as the murder mystery The January Man.

The film is also a star vehicle for Tom Hanks who gives it his best - but his heart doesn't seem to be in it. He had and successes like Splash and Big, some not so good like this film and The Burbs. Meg Ryan had success in such films as Innerspace, DOA, and, especially, When Harry Met Sally. She has the chance to play three roles here. There are also some guest appearances by Lloyd Bridges and Robert Stack.

However, while the film has very good beginning, parodying Metropolis and other films about industry like Modern Times, it soon takes its Cinderella story into the realm of fantasy and then into far fetched parody of island adventures of the 40s. It doesn't gel.

Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were to go on to Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail.

1. Comic fairytale, variation of the Cinderella theme? A fable about risking, being in life, fantasy and romance?

2. New York settings, Los Angeles, the sea and the island? The special effects? The range of songs?

3. The title, and its tone, the focus, the fable?

4. Joe as a hypochondriac, seeing him as work, drab, stepping in the puddle, on the factory line, the robotic walk of the people to work, the crowd, their look, punching in? The drabness of the work? The relationship with the boss and his domination? DE 017 as the blond secretary, argument, the phone, the catalogues, his way of walking and talking, sick, the fluorescents, the lamp, the fight with the boss? His future?

5. The visit to the doctor, their talk, the information about his illness, advice? the style of doctors?

6. His return to work, the fight, seeing, himself with De De, the kiss, thinking that he would die, escaping?

7. The cameo spot by Lloyd Bridges, the fey style of his appearance, encouraging Joe, giving him the compassion?

8. Going to the city, being transformed, the car and the chauffeur, the chauffeur, his service, the fantasy touch with meeting the Statue of Liberty in the New York streets, going to the shops and hewing transformed, clothes, cases, going to the swanky hotel, the bar, going to bed? His sense of being alone?

9. Los Angeles and Joe adapting, the meeting with Angelica, her style, the meal, reaction, the mystery?

10. Meeting Patricia, snobbery, the boat, clashes, talking, Dogma and her place on the boat, the fishing, the storm, being thrown overboard, Patricia and Joe being saved?

11. The sea, the trunks, floating? Arriving at the Island, being received, the golf, the drinking, the moon, the sacrifice? The meaning of life?

12. The portrayal of the Islanders - "crazy"? The welcome, the chief, the volcano, the feast, preparing for the sacrifice? Joe giving himself in sacrifice? In love with Patricia? The marriage, into the volcano - and out of the volcano?

13. The water, the volcano, floating to a happy ending?

14. The themes of life be in it, taking a risk, love and commitment? How well were the ideas blended with the presentation of the fable?