I still have a soft spot for HAPPY but foe whatever reasons the collective intelligence dip during the 90’s (myself included) elevated this comedy into some kind of “classic” status. So many throwaway jokes just don’t land — there’s so much half-inspired fodder between the standout bits that I can’t believe I saw this thrice in the theater. THRICE.
I love some parts of this movie so much that it pains me to feel so much meh.
Another beach vacation viewing on a stormy Thursday. Today I was struck by the film’s ability to balance religious skepticism with the spiritual. In the past I’ve focused on the ways it rejects traditional Christian dogma — instead JOE depicts a broader, practical sense of the spiritual in everyday life. Okay. Go back to your Thursday.
This may not be a great movie. Or even a very good one. There's sloggy bits and moments of pure dramatic contrivance.
And yet...
There's still Steve Martin doing an intentionally hammy New York Italian accent and antagonizing everyone he knows with wit and tasteless bespoke suits.
And that's enough for me.
