[.ca] Joe Versus the Volcano (Widescreen)

From Amazon.com:
Joe Versus the Volcano is a true early-1990s cult film. This fantasy-comedy was the first pairing of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, yet it polarizes viewers like a Blue Velvet or Happiness. As the only directorial effort from John Patrick Shanley (the Oscar-winning writer of Moonstruck), it is something special, and it's hard to resist the film's feather-light heart tugging. Joe Banks is having the life sucked out of him at a dead-end job. Miserable in his gray surroundings with stark fluorescent lighting, Joe dreams of being brave again. A visit to the doctor reveals that he has a "brain cloud." It's fatal, but he'll be fine for a few more months. An eccentric millionaire, Samuel Harvey Graynamore (Lloyd Bridges), hears of Joe's predicament and comes to him with a proposal: The people of the Pacific island of Waponi Woo need a human sacrifice to appease their gods. Why not live like a king for a few weeks, then throw yourself into a volcano? (Graynamore needs a sacrificial victim to offer in exchange for permission to mine the island for a rare mineral.) Joe accepts Graynamore's lavish proposal and on his journey meets three romantic possibilities (all played by Ryan). Joe embraces life; so does the movie. It's packed with smile-inducing supporting performances by Bridges, Ossie Davis, Robert Stack, and Dan Hedaya; playful songs ("Sixteen Tons," "Ol' Man River," Presley's version of "Blue Moon"); and amusing scenes (such as Joe buying luggage). Add the daring, imaginative production design of Bo Welch (Edward Scissorhands), Hanks and Ryan's chemistry, and Georges Delerue's romantic music and you have a film to fall for. --Doug Thomas

original and inspiring:
A friend gave me this film years ago. At first I was not sure if I liked it. And then, I watched it again and again. It is a story that opens one's eyes, heart and mind. It made me see the world as hilarious and profound at the same time. And John Patrick Shanley, who wrote and directed this film, presents the story in such a subtle and affecting way. I wish he wrote and directed more movies. I am curious what he would do next. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Joe after he went on his next journey "away from the things of man." I am not a big fan of Hanks or Ryan. It is the story that is amazing. I am glad I was able to get it on DVD as my VHS tape is barely alive. Now, if they only released the soundtrack!

Joe Versus the Volcano:
This has quite possibly the best opening sequence I've ever had the privelege to see. It rocks; the song, the situation, and the set work perfectly. But, further along with the review. It's about a hypochondriac named Joe Banks. He had had a job before, putting out fires, but for the past several years he's had a job shipping out catalogues for a medical parts company. He uses up basically all of his salary on doctors' bills, because, being the hypochondriac he is, he won't rest until he finds something wrong with himself. And- wonder of all wonders- one doctor FINALLY tells him he has an uncurable disease- a 'brain cloud' that will kill him in the next six months. Joe feels great about that; quits his job, and takes out the secretary he had to dinner. (played by Meg Ryan) After she dumps him (he tells her he's about to die), he is visited by a very rich man who is willing to give him any amount of money that he can spend in the next few days in exchange for him voluntarily jumping into a volcano. On his way to accomplishing that goal, he meets the man's two daughters (both played by Meg Ryan). Wonderful performance by Tom Hanks (as usual) and a wonderful show of acting by Meg Ryan. The voices, costumes, and mannerisms for each of the three women she plays are completely different from each other. I loved all the Tom Hank/Meg Ryan movies, and this is no exception. Great movie, great acting, great plot... great reasons to see it. :)

Joe Versus Joe (And Wins!)...:
Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is doomed. He not only works for the most despicable boss at the most horrible job since the slave-driven corporation in "Metropolis", he has also found out that he is dying from a rare condition called a "brain cloud". Thankfully, Joe is visited by the filthy rich owner of a super-conductor manufacturing company (Lloyd Bridges), who wants Joe to go to the island of Waponi Woo and jump into a volcano to appease the god of the Waponi people; so he can secure the mining rights of a rare mineral he needs. This is in exchange for unlimited funds for Joe and the guarantee of high adventure. Joe accepts the offer and sets out on the journey of his life. Meg Ryan plays three very distinct roles as the women Joe encounters on his way. This is truly an oddysey of discovery. Full of humor, romance, miracles, great music, and unexpected events, JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO is not a typical romantic comedy. If you have ever once fantasized about telling your boss to get bent, or have ever wanted to just quit your job, take off, and live like there's no tomorrow, then watch this movie right now! I would advise you to buy some water-tight steamer trunks for the trip. They come in VERY handy! Highly recommended...

Great for the goofy and open-minded!:
OK, I understand that a lot of people have trouble connecting to this movie, but it's probably because most people don't see plays anymore. It doesn't force-feed the comedy to people as americans are used to. This is a cute, pithy play shot as a movie. I found it delightful, mildly thought-provoking, and would recommend it as a great rental.

Grab the Orange Soda! It's "Sleepless in the South Pacific"!:
For those of you familiar with later Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movies such as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've got Mail", "Joe Versus the Volcano" is the movie that started it all, for good or ill. Tom Hanks is a down-on-his-luck guy who gets fired from his job and diagnosed with a fake terminal illness, only to be duped into promising to jump into a volcano by a wealthy mining tycoon. Meg Ryan plays 3 parts, but most convincingly that of Hanks' cruise director and principal love interest. Add to that a raft of everything-proof luggage and an unstable island full of orange soda-guzzling natives and watch the romantic comedy hijinks ensue! As far as these types of movies go, it's pretty standard fare. The movie is low budget enough so that you can rule out any real technical innovation, and was done at a time when both Hanks and Ryan were at that uncertain point in their careers when they were considered competent without being particularly bankable. True to typecasting, Hanks is the earnestly striving everyman and Ryan is sweet and charming, and they go through the most gosh-darned amazing things to end up falling in love. If nothing else, it's interesting to see Hanks before triumphs like "Apollo 13", "Forrest Gump" and "Saving Private Ryan", and realize that he was as good then as he is now, if much less appreciated. Like others have said here: you either love this movie or you hate it. I, for one, happen to like it.