If looking at the general reviews/ratings of "Joe Bell", one could be forgiven for thinking it is a train-wreck. It isn't remotely that bad. No classic, to be sure, but the subject matter and characters all "mean well", so to speak. The main culprit here is casting and overall script execution.
For a very basic overview, "Joe Bell" tells the story of its titular character (played by Mark Wahlberg), who is walking across the United States to spread an anti-bullying message in the wake of his gay son Jadin's (Reid Miller) death caused by school bullying. Along the way, he is haunted (or is it blessed?) by a vision of Jadin, guiding his path of self-discovery.
I'll start with the biggest problem that prevents this film from being much above average: It is based on a true story, and the end-credits photos of the real Bell family are largely more emotional than any of the dramatic material. That is obviously a large failure on the part of the film-makers.
Despite the deep and relevant themes of bullying, homosexuality, and self-discovery present here, the last screenplay from Larry McMurtry (he of "Lonesome Dove" fame) just can't bring that all out in a coherent way for viewers. The film sort of flits here and there for the 90-minute runtime and never tries to really sink its teeth into anything. Is it a movie about the trials of being a gay teenager in a small town? The perils of bullying? One man's self-discovery about the role he may have played in his son's death? "Joe Bell" tries to be all of these things, but doesn't really capture any of them to their full capacity.
Not helping matters is the mis-casting of Wahlberg (he's fine here, but seemingly not the epitome of the real-life character) and the awkward pre/post death Jadin mechanism that never really fools anyone.
All of that being said, there is such a wealth of emotion and themes just dying to burst out from "Joe Bell" that I give it somewhat of the benefit of the doubt. In general, I enjoyed the arc of the piece and it was nice to see supporting roles from Connie Britton and Gary Sinise.
Overall, I found "Joe Bell" to be better than the general consensus, but also not something I'll ever revisit. Truth be told, a documentary on the subject's real figures might have been even more effective in this case. But the messages of acceptance, tolerance, and anti-bullying are hard-hitting and mean well-enough.
For a very basic overview, "Joe Bell" tells the story of its titular character (played by Mark Wahlberg), who is walking across the United States to spread an anti-bullying message in the wake of his gay son Jadin's (Reid Miller) death caused by school bullying. Along the way, he is haunted (or is it blessed?) by a vision of Jadin, guiding his path of self-discovery.
I'll start with the biggest problem that prevents this film from being much above average: It is based on a true story, and the end-credits photos of the real Bell family are largely more emotional than any of the dramatic material. That is obviously a large failure on the part of the film-makers.
Despite the deep and relevant themes of bullying, homosexuality, and self-discovery present here, the last screenplay from Larry McMurtry (he of "Lonesome Dove" fame) just can't bring that all out in a coherent way for viewers. The film sort of flits here and there for the 90-minute runtime and never tries to really sink its teeth into anything. Is it a movie about the trials of being a gay teenager in a small town? The perils of bullying? One man's self-discovery about the role he may have played in his son's death? "Joe Bell" tries to be all of these things, but doesn't really capture any of them to their full capacity.
Not helping matters is the mis-casting of Wahlberg (he's fine here, but seemingly not the epitome of the real-life character) and the awkward pre/post death Jadin mechanism that never really fools anyone.
All of that being said, there is such a wealth of emotion and themes just dying to burst out from "Joe Bell" that I give it somewhat of the benefit of the doubt. In general, I enjoyed the arc of the piece and it was nice to see supporting roles from Connie Britton and Gary Sinise.
Overall, I found "Joe Bell" to be better than the general consensus, but also not something I'll ever revisit. Truth be told, a documentary on the subject's real figures might have been even more effective in this case. But the messages of acceptance, tolerance, and anti-bullying are hard-hitting and mean well-enough.