JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO
1990 - USA

Director: John Patrick Shanley
Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Abe Vigoda, Dan Hedaya, Barry McGovern, Amanda Plummer, Ossie Davis, Carol Kane

- Reviewed by Kerri

Joe Versus the Volcano People either love this movie or they don't get it. A quirky off-the-wall first pairing of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan has its own cult following, because the storyline is absurd, the characters strange, and the whole mood of the film can leave you scratching your head in wonder. Fortunately, it appeals to my sense of humor.

Hanks plays Joe, a depressed hypochondriac who is convinced he has a "brain cloud" and will die shortly. A rich benefactor who owns a small Pacific island convinces Joe he needs to sacrifice himself to the volcano god so that the owner can mine for a rare metal. On his journey he meets DeeDee and Patricia (both played by Ryan), falls in love, and ends up in the weirdest predicament anyone can find themselves in.

Ryan doesn't get enough credit for the three roles she plays (the first as an office worker Joe goes out with one night); she pulled off the mentally ill and bizarre DeeDee brilliantly. You almost forget it was Meg Ryan.

You have to suspend belief and just watch this movie for the quirkiness it is, because nothing in it makes sense, and it borders on the insane. It's a good afternoon movie to rent when you feel like something funny and out there.

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