Joe

A boy with a brutal father finds an unlikely paternal surrogate in David Gordon Green's adaptation of Larry Brown's 1991 novel—a powerful slice of Southern gothic that offers Nicolas Cage his best role in years while providing another opportunity for young Tye Sheridan (Mud) to shine. Sheridan stars as Gary, a teen who applies to Joe Ransom (Cage) for work on a crew of illegal “tree poisoners” that Joe runs for a local lumber firm. Joe has a criminal past, but even though he drinks too much, visits the local bordello a bit too regularly, and has a hard time restraining himself when taunted by a town ruffian who is itching to avenge an old slight, he's basically a good guy trying to go straight. Joe is also a generous sort, reluctantly stepping in to the role of protector to Gary, whose father (Gary Poulter) is a vicious drunk who takes out his frustrations on the boy, his mother, and his sister, while also appropriating any money that Gary happens to make. The narrative built around these characters is fairly schematic, lending the figures an archetypal feel in which they serve both as individuals and moral symbols. But while hardly subtle or understated, Joe works because of the palpably grungy atmosphere, the visceral intensity of its melodramatic plotting, and the almost operatic performances that Green draws from the cast. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director David Gordon Green, composer David Wingo, and costar Brian D. Mays, “The Long Gravel Drive: The Origins” production featurette (16 min.), a “making-of” featurette (11 min.), deleted scenes (3 min.), trailers, and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a bonus DVD copy of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning drama.] (F. Swietek)