Joe Somebody (2001) User Reviews

Sweet little movie.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 7/10 · 8 August 2007]

Nothing wrong with this movie really. I don't think people treat this movie fairly. It's a sweet little entertaining comedy, that is not hilarious but at all time a pleasant one to watch.

Normally director John Pasquin really doesn't make great comedies but I think I can say that this is a good movie and probably easily his best.

Yes, of course the movie has morals in it that are bittersweet and make the movie also predictable. Nevertheless, I think the movie delivers its messages well and not so much in a preachy kind of way. It helps the messages of the movie come across and therefor the movie is an effective one.

As a matter of fact; everything in the movie works out quite well. This includes the love-story, the movie its dramatic elements and the characters themselves. The movie is a good balance of fun and entertainment and some more serous and dramatic family plot-elements, that of course never divert from the movie its fun and pleasant elements.

Not too much about the story really, it's actually kind of silly and hard to believe but it serves as a good basis for the movie to tell its story. The characters and actors in the movie are definitely good enough to make the movie more fun and entertaining to watch. Tim Allen fits the role and the movie has a great supporting cast with actors such as Greg Germann, Patrick Warburton and James Belushi in some good and fun comedy roles.

It's easily a movie I would watch again.

7/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Good, clean family fun

[mattymatt4ever · 7/10 · 28 December 2001]

Tim Allen is a very talented comedian, so I feel almost all his movies are worth seeing. So far, the only one I dreaded was "Jungle 2 Jungle." "Joe Somebody" has everything you would expect in a family comedy and the story is predictable. But the point is it's a fun movie to watch and I was quite entertained.

Julie Bowen (from "Happy Gilmore" and TV's "Ed") plays Allen's love interest. God! She's one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood! I hope to see her in more and more movies. My heart just melts everytime I see her on screen. Jim Belushi is hilarious as Allen's martial arts personal trainer/out-of-work action star. I guess that's an inside joke, spoofing his own movie career...LOL. But I love Jim, he's truly an underrated comic actor. If you want to see him in other funny performances, I suggest you see "Taking Care of Business" and "Return to Me." What did disappoint me was the lack of screen time for Patrick Warburton. He's only in the film for about ten minutes! Warburton is another truly talented comic actor--we all loved him as Puddy on "Seinfeld"--and he's definitely going places. He literally doesn't get to say any funny lines in this movie. That sucks! That's why I'm really, really looking forward to the release of "Big Trouble," also starring Allen and Warburton, where hopefully we'll get to see a lot more of Patrick.

Like most family films, the third act becomes serious and the comedy sags, because this is the point where they're supposed to deliver the "message." And like most family films, the message is delivered in a deliberately corny fashion. I'm sorry, call me a pessimist, but even if you're going to deliver a message there should be a sense of reality to it. "American Beauty" was a film with a message--in fact, a bunch of messages--but it was delivered in a very unpretentious, realistic manner without fearing the audience's reaction.

In the opening of the film, we establish that Allen is a loser. Why? Who the heck knows? But for some stupid reason, everyone around him--whether it's at work or around town--doesn't even bother to acknowledge he exists. He says hello, but no one says hello back. And suddenly, just because he plans on fighting the most hated man in the workplace, everyone thinks of him as a god? Maybe this could happen in the sixth grade. But in an upscale working environment? I don't think so. Even adults can be shallow, but that's ridiculous.

So don't go into "Joe Somebody" expecting to be enlightened or touched in any way. Just go in for the laughs--and if you're a guy, also go in to see the beautiful Julie Bowen. There's an incentive!

My score: 7 (out of 10)

Exceptional? ....No.

[gbkimberley · 7/10 · 5 July 2007]

Serious? ....No.

Lighthearted? ....Yes.

Funny? ....Yes.

Full of morals and clichés? ....You bet.

But it's the Bullied verses the Bully and most of us, especially those of us who might have been in similar circumstances, like these kind of movies; don't we? Obviously this movie isn't meant to be taken too seriously and Tim Allen pulls it off nicely and, along with the support characters, they combine to make this one of those movies you can enjoy without having the feeling you have to barf.

Ignore the critics, this one is a warm, light-hearted, feel-good film for the entire family.

[rcryniak · 21 November 2003]

OK, folks, I've read almost every comment on here regarding this movie, and all I can say is... some of you just haven't got a clue. No, it's not a blockbuster comedy, but it wasn't intended to be. So, OK, clearly, this movie isn't for everyone... well, there isn't any movie made that appeals to EVERYONE, no matter how good it is. The point is this: This movie was very enjoyable. It does not try too hard, it makes you love or hate the characters appropriately, has a nice, fun (albeit somewhat simple) story, and is all around a nice, light-hearted film that the entire family can enjoy together. If you're not into family movies, then skip this one, otherwise, I definitely recommend it.

An okay family movie, but not particularly memorable

[MovieAddict2016 · 5/10 · 21 August 2005]

I like Tim Allen and I hate to see him selling himself out like this. Here he's playing an average joe (named Joe! Haha the irony!) who gets beat up outside work one day by a meanie co-worker (played by the brilliant Patrick Warburton, one of the most underrated comedians out there).

Feeling like he has lost his dignity and manhood (and the fact that it occurred in front of his preteen daughter doesn't help any), Joe decides to fight back - by training extensively and preparing for the Next Big Fight.

He employs the services of a guru (Jim Belushi) to help him learn forms of karate and what not, so he can take down Warburton.

The movie is kind of lame insofar that it seems very childish - that's partly the point but, on the other hand, it promotes a bad message to kids. Of course the moral at the end of the story is, "Don't fight." But we spend an hour and a half of revenge-filled fantasy getting there.

It's not a particularly bad film, but neither is it particularly good. I hate to see Tim Allen selling himself out like this because I think he's a fine comedian and this puts his talents to waste. Anyone could play this role. There's a reason it's called "Joe Somebody." Now here's a good idea: put Patrick Warburton in a good movie for once, and give Tim Allen a good role.

Not Tim Allen's best effort,but watchable

[SmileysWorld · 7/10 · 24 November 2002]

This film contains a nice little blend of comedy,and heart touching warmth,with Tim Allen starring as a somewhat meek and timid office executive,who often gets stepped on and overlooked.After getting knocked down by the company bully in front of his young daughter,he decides to toughen up and make the world take notice.This is a cute story with a good message about not forgetting the most important things in life. This isn't Tim Allen's best effort,but the film is watchable enough. Lending good support are Jim Belushi as an ex-movie actor/martial arts instructor,and Julie Bowen,who always seems to lend a nice touch to a film(I recalled her from Happy Gilmore),as the love interest.Good film,but don't look for greatness.

Got Old Quickly

[Uriah43 · 4/10 · 29 April 2014]

"Joe Scheffer" (Tim Allen) works in a large corporation and is going through some tough times. Not only has his wife, "Callie Scheffer" (Kelly Lynch) left him for another man, but to make things even more humiliating, he is beaten up in the parking lot of his company in front of his young daughter, "Natalie Scheffer" (Hayden Panettiere). Too ashamed to return to work he is visited by a corporate counselor by the name of "Meg Harper" (Julie Bowen) who inadvertently gives him the idea of challenging the corporate bully "Mark McKinney" (Patrick Warburton) into a rematch. Suddenly, he becomes the rising star in the company and his behavior changes accordingly. Anyway, although this film started off pretty good it didn't seem to add anything new or interesting after the first 15 minutes or so. It was like one long joke which just dragged on for 98 minutes and it got old quickly. And while I liked the performance of Julie Bowen, and I certainly didn't think her presence or that of Kelly Lynch hurt the scenery in any way, neither of them was able to elevate this film enough for me to rate it any higher than I have. Slightly below average.

Engaging Comedy

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 7 September 2005]

I don't know if it was because I watched McHALE'S NAVY the previous night but I was charmed by JOE SOMEBODY . Agreed it's not a movie that will be winning much in the way of awards but isn't as bad as some people are making out . It get's off to a good start in the opening shot where Joe thinks a sexy brunette is waving to him only to find she's waving at someone else . Come on guys admit you've made the same mistake . It's also one of those romantic / family comedies that gets the balance right between pathos and humour without becoming jarring or unfocused . When Joe talks to Natalie his angst ridden daughter on the phone it is a touching scene helped in no small part by a musical score similar to THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

My only real complaint is that the screenplay can't keep up the momentum but that's not a unique criticism since most movies of what ever genre suffer from sagging about two thirds the way through so the only real disappointment is why didn't the producers hire Steven Seagal as Chuck the martial arts movie star . It's impossible not to notice who Chuck is supposed to be and if we had Seagal lampooning himself then this would have been a minor comedy classic

Joe Somebody

[weberpr · 5/10 · 24 June 2005]

Joe Somebody is a comedy/drama about Joe Scheffer (Tim Allen) who is a nobody at work, until the day he is beat up in the car park by a co-worker and rescued by his young daughter, following the incident he agrees to fight back. Starring (Tim Allen), (Julie Bowen), (Hayden Panettiere) and (James Belushi) Joe Somebody is a good light comedy flick, the storyline is believable and Allen is suited to play Joe, also Meg Harper played by (Julie Bowen) was a strong role. Predictable storyline , funny in all the right places, its amazing how the aspects of this film do occur in everyday life, Joe goes from a nobody to being the most popular guy at work through one act.

It's sad to believe that is how people only react once you have done something worthy for them to associate with you, it's like high school life.

Anyway reasonable comedy film, good to see Allen back into film.

Feel good comedy with few moral pointers

[Enchorde · 6/10 · 19 September 2006]

Recap: Joe Scheffer is a hardworking single (recently divorced) father. Although all the effort Joe Scheffer puts in his life he remains a Nobody. No one pays attention to him at work, women don't look his way and everyone feels like they can step on him. The only person that seems to really like him is his daughter. So when a fight over a simple matter as a parking space ends with Joe being humiliatingly slapped, in front of not only his co-workers but also his daughter, something snaps inside him. He stays home, and when Meg Harper, the company's health coordinator reaches out to him and asks what he want, the reaction is great. What he wants? He wants to fight, to gain respect. And suddenly he is Somebody...

Comments: This is a simple, sweet, feel good company with a few funny quirks. And throw in a few moral pointers and the package is complete. It's all about the little man, growing, maturing, and becoming the Big Man that's walking the High Road. And then of course everyone finds love, succeeds and becomes happy. If you expect something controversial, something deep and philosophical you will be disappointed. But if you sit down, and follow Joe's struggles, you will leave with a smile.

Tim Allen, although according to trivia second in line behind Carrey, is a better match for the role than Carrey would have been. This is not that kind of comedy that Carrey does so well. This is the kind of comedy Tim Allen does well. He can be the small trampled guy, and he can be the confident smiling man. Julie Bowen has the role of the love interest, and even if she has pretty much screen time, her role is kind of limited, and Bowen's talents not really put to use. The character of Meg hints at a complex and interesting side, but that is never explored. I guess that is because it would have stolen focus from the story, and changed the feel good comedy-genre into something else.

There are two other memorable characters. First, the daughter Natalie, skillfully played by Hayden Panettiere, who also hints of a more complex truth beneath the smart and talented surface. All blissfully ignored of course. And then there is James Belushi, whose character Chuck Scarett, an action-movie star turned martial arts trainer fits the movie much better.

All in all, a movie certainly good for a simple evening of entertainment...

6/10

Just not very good.

[jramza-1 · 5/10 · 19 August 2016]

A lot of the reviewers for this movie wrote that it was "not a very good movie but..." A lot of the reviewers wanted to like this movie, as did I. A number of them even said it was a clean family movie. However, by trying to be a "clean" movie that kids could watch, with a strange "sappy" ending that just didn't fit (at all), and being a believable drama about midlife crisis, failed marriage, workplace violence, and corporate ethics, they ended up with a movie that often seemed far too tedious for young viewers, and not genuine for older viewers; in trying to appeal to everyone, they missed the mark to appeal to anyone. Which is why I think most reviews stop short of saying they simply didn't like this movie, and say it was easily forgotten only seconds after turning it off. It had potential, and Tim Allen is an amicable actor to watch. But he's had far better films to his credit.

Contains all the successful elements for family movie

[deckergmillar · 9/10 · 24 February 2006]

This is an excellent family movie, if you have the disc you will want to watch it a second time in a day or two. It is worth having in your collection, you will want to go back to it time and time again.

Tim Allen is lovable and does an excellent performance. Julie Bowen also excellent and lovable. The supporting actors and direction were superb.

A great underdog movie turning top-dog with a couple scenes that were stretching the imagination. (please excuse the cliché's they are unavoidable.)

To make this review submission-able I have to add this last line. I think it deserves a better score than 5.5

Funny

[sveknu · 7/10 · 14 May 2005]

This movie came as a surprise for me, it was much funnier than expected. Joe Sheffer (played by Tim Allen) is tired of being a loser, and decides to do something about it. That involves engaging in a fight with a bully at his work. This is a good starting point for the movie, and it follows up in a good way with many funny moments. Even though James Belushi isn't exactly the best actor around, I think his appearance in this movie was really great. As a former (and now totally forgotten) B-action movie star, his character had played in movies like "Maximum Punishment", "Quick Kill" and "Master of Justice". That was hilarious.

Better than I thought, but that's considering

[Quinoa1984 · 5/10 · 16 December 2001]

I really didn't know much about Joe Somebody before I saw it except that it starred Tim Allen as an average Joe who wants to fight a guy who hit him in front of his daughter. But from that it looked like a good concept that more or less resulted to work as a family film and/or for fans of Allen. It's predictable in spots, but it actually brings some actual realism here and there which you definitely wouldn't expect here (and Allen isn't a bad actor here). B or B-

Julie's movie

[stablefashion · 28 February 2003]

I don't understand the negative reviews. This is a good movie, well written and pretty original. Great dialogue. The top value of this movie is Julie. Julie and her character are the core of the value of the story and of the serious joy of watching. I won't forget that dance either! (Yes, I am a guy.)

I've had more fun at a womens' studies lecture

[magicsinglez · 3/10 · 22 July 2006]

I watched this on the big screen on dollar movie night. There's nothing like dollar movie night. After watching a string of OK movies every Wednesday I sat down to see 'Joe Somebody'.

I don't think I've ever walked out on a movie before. Every movie seems to have at least some sort of entertainment value. I almost walked out on 'Joe Somebody'. Tho I stayed till the end, the movie didn't really improve.

It's hard to say what was so 'bad' about this movie. Perhaps I felt it was insulting my intelligence. I think mostly I just didn't care about any of the characters, or if I did care, none of their actions seemed to matter. I don't think it was a matter of knowing the message already. I didn't know how the movie was going to end. It may have been I just didn't believe the build up. That after agreeing to the fight he suddenly becomes the most popular guy at work.

Joe Somebody may have just struck too close to home for me. Who knows? I was like trying to turn my head away for the whole movie, perhaps. Maybe for me, the whole movie was like one long love scene. The kiss or embrace at the end a movie often builds up to. I was trying to turn my head away, trying to resist the brainwashing of the love scene! Can a man stand 2 hours of a love scene? I think not. Surely now we know a way to break AlQuida terrorists. . .

Fair effort

[Kurva100 · 6/10 · 20 November 2002]

On the whole I enjoyed this movie, The story line has been used a million times before , but in this movie it seems to still work , a average effort, I didnt get that deep emotion feeling , but then i was expecting that with this title..Old format reasonable approach , fair acting 6-10

Predictable + Half-Baked + Forgettable + Lacking consistent humour + Mediocrity = Joe Somebody

[DaRick89 · 4/10 · 11 January 2006]

Joe Somebody is one of those cookie-cutter mediocre films where we can predict the ending long before it actually happens. Not only that, but our 'hero' (Tim Allen) is unconvincingly made into a better person as the film progresses (what the hell?). He starts out as a nobody, who wants revenge on a bully who humiliated him, but becomes a somebody after proclaiming revenge and then refraining from fighting the bully. Along the way, he falls in love. (Get it? That's why they call it Joe Somebody). I think I have seen this plot line many times before, only I don't know where.

Another issue with this 'comedy' that I have is that there are only two real laughs to be had: One where Joe (how American!) reveals that he has steel balls and a line where Jim Belushi says: "It was maximum punishment to watch it." (after a film called Maximum Punishment) I didn't cringe at the film, but I got nothing out of this film either. I was living in the hope that Joe would beat the hell out of the bully, but of course I knew in my heart that he wouldn't and of course, he didn't. The romance is (for me anyway) meant to be awkward, but I felt no emotion when seeing Julie Bowen and Allen interact.

The acting is OK I guess, but let's face it, anyone can play Tim Allen's role as a nobody. Ditto Julie Bowen's role as the love interest and Patrick Warburton as the bully. Every time I see Tim, he's starring in a sub-par or worse film: look at Christmas with the Kranks. Shame.

Overall, this is not a terrible movie, just a sub-par one. If you like predictable, half-baked, forgettable comedies, then this is for you.

2/5 stars

Hayden Somebody.

[Son_of_Mansfield · 4/10 · 24 June 2007]

Tim Allen may have top billing, and his character's name in the title, but it's Hayden Panettiere as his sharp daughter that is the best thing about Joe Somebody. She played the young firecracker of a daughter to the white coach in Remember the Titans and she shows the same skill as a thoughtful and far too smart girl in this. That's not bad for a girl of eleven. The rest of the movie plays like a bad after school special with pat morals. The entire plot is about a guy being b*tch slapped in the parking lot by a co-worker, learning how to fight from a washed up action star, and finding out that he wasn't that bad of a guy to begin with. Aww. It's not a bad moral, but it's always handled as subtly as an anvil to the head. Tim Allen is a comedian, not an actor. He just doesn't have the skills to pull of some of the more emotional scenes in any of his movies. This was a poor choice for him and exposes his weak range. One thing is easy, he gives up on the fight for his daughter, and I am there with him, she is the only reason to sit through this.

Dumb and not funny

[krzysiektom · 2/10 · 17 March 2021]

Weak comedy, dumb script, and not really funny. Waste of time.

Average flick with refreshing characters

[RestlessRust · 7/10 · 3 January 2002]

It's a dog-eat-dog world, and while the meek may inherit the earth, they certainly don't get much respect. That's the problem Joe faces as he muddles through his everyday life, consistently overlooked for promotions, special favors, and just being invited to hang out with the guys. Joe doesn't let that bother him, though, as he knows he is a good man, taking pride in his work and enjoying every minute he spends with his daughter.

Things change on "bring your daughter to work day" when Mark, the company bully, assaults Joe in a dispute over a parking space. Joe, humiliated, retreats to his house and drowns his sorrows by cleaning and drinking, realizing that his happiness had been based solely on his self-respect that he now has lost.

Joe realizes that the only way to get his self-respect back is to challenge Mark to a fight. But then a curious thing happens: not only does he regain respect for himself, his co-workers suddenly begin treating him better. People greet him in the hall and invite him to play squash. Joe gains confidence from the fighting lessons he takes from a washed-up movie star, and he begins to take more pride in his appearance.

Not everyone likes who Joe has become, however. Joe begins to neglect his daughter, and Meg, the company "wellness coordinator", thinks he has become more suave than sweet. Joe begins to realize that he must find a balance between the Joe Nobody that got beat up in the parking lot and the Joe Somebody that emerged looking for a fight.

If that sounds like a synopsis for an after-school TV special, rest assured that portions of the movie play like one, too. While the movie never gets overly preachy, the simplicity does get annoying at times. Some issues are left unresolved, while others are never even addressed. And while it would be unfair to call the movie predictable (it does avoid cliches that seem inevitable), there is rarely any question about the general direction any given part of the movie will take.

What gives the movie its charm, however, is its refreshing array of characters. Joe is a likeable guy who simply wants more from his life than 9 to 5 drudgery. His co-workers aren't nearly as shallow as you would expect them to be (although we only get to know a couple of them). And while Meg is too cute to be believably single, her personality has an air of self-assurance that gives her additional credibility.

Good performances all around, especially by Tim Allen, who nails the role of a broken-hearted man perfectly. Still, you can't help but wonder how much better this film would have been under the direction of a more competent filmmaker. I would have to call "Joe Somebody" John Pasquin's worst film because this one had so much more potential than his previous efforts, which include "The Santa Clause" and "Jungle2Jungle". That's not to say it's a bad movie by any means. I would call this Tim Allen's best film, and I do recommend it, just with reservations.

Second rate comedy with a great message

[seltzer · 7/10 · 5 March 2003]

This is not a great movie by a long shot. The script seems like it was put through a committee of unfunny people trying to see what would make it funny. This movie needed one very good writer to punch it up and throw in some smart dialogue, but it only seems to go halfway.

(POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD AND SOME DEFINITE SPOILERS AS WELL) Tim Allen does a nice turn as a timid guy who becomes the most popular guy at work when everyone anticipates his rematch with the office bully who hit him in front of his daughter, on Take Your Daughter To Work Day, no less. Julie Bowen is adorable in this, but then again she could be adorable reading a math textbook in Norwegian for five hours. The whole movie seems to be about the time leading up to the big rematch, and some have complained that they were disappointed that the 'big fight' never happens, but I think they miss the point. Joe is really caught up in the idea that he will fight to redeem himself, and his enthusiasm for finally becoming confrontational seems to change his life for the better all around. It doesn't give him what he really wants or needs, though, and in the end he has to walk away from the fight in order to get what he really needs. Anyone who's a pacifist or has been picked on by bullies at school should probably see this movie, and it wouldn't be a bad film for bullies or potential future bullies to watch as well. Adults may be disappointed by the overall flatness of the film, but it has its moments, and I think kids in their early teens might really like it. They should have made it more of an adult or children's film. As it is, it seems to blandly smear itself in both directions.

A few things I liked about the characters: the ex-wife is not portrayed as a cold hearted bitch as in most two dimensional Hollywood garbage, and even the bully is, in the end, not reduced to a stereotype and was given more depth than most movie bullies. Some surprisingly real human actions and reactions in there if you look. I think it's at least worth watching if any of these redeeming qualities appeal to you. Rent it if you're getting more than one flick.

Strong turn from Allen saves this run of the mill message piece.

[hitchcockthelegend · 4/10 · 17 March 2010]

Here in the UK we have the famous BBC. With the BBC there's something that serious film lovers are aware of. Namely that BBC1 shows what are considered to be duff movies late at night during the working week. The reason for this is that children are in bed and so are the adults who have to get up in the morning, thus viewing figures are not of any great importance. And mainly, the BBC gets to fulfil it's showing quotas for film's they have the rights too but wish they hadn't. So when I saw that this Tim Allen starrer was showing at midnight on a Monday night, I didn't expect much other than an average time filler of a movie. So it proved.

It's a safe parable piece about male egos, bullies and the reaction of others to violence. Hell there's even a little romance in there to make sure the piece stays on the warm side of the safe haven bed. Tim Allen turns in an engaging performance as the guy beat up in front of his young daughter who then gets some martial arts training with the intention of beating said attacker to a pulp. Once the word is out that he is going to fight this guy, everyone starts to react differently to him. Co-workers want to play squash with him, his ex now finds him sexy, you know, that sort of thing. Naturally the ending doesn't hold any great surprises, this is a message movie and its message is delivered with all the subtlety of a thunder storm. But it is watchable, family friendly stuff. Even if, when all is said and done, its vanishes quickly from the memory about two seconds after the credits have rolled. 4/10

What The Hell Kind Of Family Movie Is This?

[Don Stephens · 5/10 · 29 December 2001]

Once upon a time, I would guess, there was a spec script floating around Hollywood. A sensitive, adult-oriented and thought provoking piece about a man who loses his dignity in front of his daughter, and feels the need to make changes in his life. Sort of an "American Beauty" type thing, though not as phony.

And lo and behold, it was optioned by Twentieth Century Fox. They liked it very much, but they thought some changes were necessary:

"Lets make it a family movie and put Tim Allen in it," said one Fox executive who, for sake of this narrative, we shall call Steve. "It shall be a Christmas movie, and will make us untold millions!" And all the other little Fox executives clapped and cheered and Rupert Murdoch himself gave Steve a lovely corner office.

The production of this film, which Steve himself decided to call "Joe Somebody," was set into motion. It was to be directed by John Pasquin, who is known in some third-world countries as the Anti-Christ for his work on "Jungle 2 Jungle." Steve worked hard on this movie, trying to train every bit of originality and warmth out of this once beautiful and thought-provoking script. It was now a parable against revenge and was marketed for the thirteen and under crowd and their parents, all the while Steve was ignorant of the possibility that kids might cry when they see Tim Allen assaulted in a parking lot while his daughter looks on. He was also ignorant of the possibility that adults will raise their eyebrows when they see not only Julie Bowen in lingerie, but also that a supposed "family film" has product placement from Miller Lite beer and Parliament cigarettes.

Not that Steve could kill the movie entirely; some viewers could still see the passionate film that made up the foundation of the tame and boring family movie.

And then the movie opened. It was a mistake to make it a Christmas release, for opening two days earlier was the first installment of "The Lord of the Rings," which is a masterpiece. And opening that same day was "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius," which does for kids what Steve would never have dreamed "Joe Somebody" would do.

And "Joe Somebody," which began so humbly, bombed out at the box office. It didn't even make as much money as "How High," which didn't get promoted on any of the major television networks! And poor Steve now works mopping up the floors at the Adult Emporium.

And all the people who saw "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" lived happily ever after. The End.

** out of 4

Heartwarming, funny movie!

[nolookpass · 10/10 · 9 February 2004]

That this movie didn't do better than it did at the box office is more an indictment on our culture at large than on the film itself. Genuinely funny (as much as is appropriate for family, sans some the language), it portrays in a simple way a simple message: that, while change and growth are good things, they shouldn't come at the expense of being yourself. If I could have advised "Meg" (played by the always-alluring Julie Bowen), I would tell her that she's right about the big fight between "Joe" and "Mark", but that she should try to understand that, as a guy, it's important for Joe to learn to fight and to at least show up. No, Joe didn't need to beat the snot out of Mark to be a good man--he already was one--but a guy can't back down from challenges. I think that Joe, by showing up and being ready to fight if needed, ended up handling it the best way he could have. And he got a very cute lady--as well as new sartorial skills--to boot!