By Robert Scucci
| Published
Most diehard Nicolas Cage fans will be the first to admit that our one true god has taken on some very questionable roles during the aughts that have been largely attributed to financial issues he was experiencing behind the scenes. From the generic revenge flicks like Seeking Justice and Stolen to the all-over-the-place but cathartically amusing films like Drive Angry, it seemed like Nicolas Cage was simply taking any role that was offered to him, but these films are still infectiously watchable because of the energy he brings to each and every project even if they were just gigs to him at the time. In the 2010s, it seemed like Nicolas Cage was becoming more of a punchline and meme, but his career saw a resurgence with 2013’s Joe.
While the storytelling in Joe is one of redemption in and of itself in regard to its titular character, we also have the privilege of seeing the greatest actor of all time see his own redemption of sorts, as this is the film that saw critics calling it a return to form for Nicolas Cage that was long overdue.
A Story About Mentorship
Centering on the mentor-mentee relationship between Joe Ransom (Nicolas Cage) and Gary Jones (Tye Sheridan), Joe is a story about finding friends in unlikely places when you’re down on your luck. Gary is a teenage drifter living with his abusive alcoholic father, Wade (Gary Poulter), and seeks out employment working for Joe’s tree-poisoning company. After being praised for his work ethic, Gary gets a job for Wade, which results in both of their immediate terminations because of Wade’s piss-poor attitude.
A firm believer in second chances, Nicolas Cage’s Joe lets Gary continue to work for him, but urges him to hide his money from Wade, who’s known to use his paychecks to drink himself into a non-verbal stupor.
As Joe and Gary’s relationship grows, Joe, an ex-con himself, becomes the father figure that Gary never had, and the two form an inseparable bond when Gary helps Joe find his missing dog, Faith, after it runs away. Having frequent run-ins with Wade, and a violent criminal named Willie Russell (Ronnie Gene Blevins), Gary is protected and guided by Joe, who despite his gruff countenance wants the best for the troubled boy that he’s taken under his wing.
Nicolas Cage In Top Form
Nicolas Cage, who can do no wrong (fight me on this, and I’ll destroy you) but still needed a win on the public perception front, surprised critics with his portrayal of Joe because of how complex yet subdued his character is in this film. Replacing his signature over-the-top delivery with a more measured approach to his acting, Nicolas Cage is in top form as Joe does everything he can to get an unfortunate kid out of a dire situation the only way he knows how. Joe may be rough around the edges, but he still has a heart and believes in giving everybody second chances– even if those second chances could eventually come back to haunt him.
Playing it straight but with a cynical scowl, a bottle of bourbon in his hand, and a cigarette almost always hanging from his mouth, Nicolas Cage brings Joe to life in ways that no other actor can, and it’s a shame that this film saw such a limited release because it’s one of those buried treasures in Cage’s filmography that a lot of people slept on.
But if you’re ready to wake up and see a master at work, Joe is currently streaming for free on Tubi.
