Joe Versus the Volcano

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Joe Versus the Volcano

PG

1990

1h 42m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is dying, apparently. This is good news, since his life was not much worth living anyway. On the upside, a strange millionaire (Lloyd Bridges) offers Joe a way to die with meaning and dignity: by hurling himself into a volcano. With plenty of spending cash and an ensemble of new luggage, Joe embarks on an absurdist journey to his demise, guided by two very disparate sisters, and trying to puzzle out the meaning of existence.

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Critics Consensus

Joe Versus the Volcano erupts with plenty of screwball energy and thoughtful observations about living to the fullest, but its existential ambition may prove too goofy for some audiences.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

It speaks to the commercial and critical success of Shanley's 1987 hit 'Moonstruck' that he was handed, by a major studio, the resources to make a movie as unapologetically weird as this one.

Jun 23, 2017

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: F

Sep 7, 2011

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Joe Versus the Volcano achieves a kind of magnificent goofiness. Hanks and Ryan are the right actors to inhabit it, because you can never catch them going for a gag that isn't there: They inhabit the logic of this bizarre world and play by its rules.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...fares best in its oddball yet engrossing first half...

Rated: 3/4

Oct 16, 2023

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Tina Kakadelis

Beyond the Cinerama Dome

Joe Versus the Volcano stands on its own, fantastical oddities are kept grounded by the inimitable duo of Hanks & Ryan. The film proudly wears its heart on its sleeve, proclaiming that this world is beautiful. It’s a terrible shame when that is forgotten

Jul 25, 2023

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

A script of bad sentimental lunacy. [Full review in Spanish]

Oct 27, 2022

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Brad R

One of my favorites…

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/05/25

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Don H

A very good movie. Heart warming and hilarious with stellar performances by Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/24

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Alec B

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood films ever made, but either you appreciate it's very earnest weirdness or you don't. Personally, I fail to understand how vitriol could be extended to something so unique and lovably goofy as this.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/13/23

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Pickle d

While massively under appreciated, it is understandable why this movie wasn't popular. There are cringe-worthy aspects that, even in its day, were probably questionable but I feel it doesn't detract from the film's overtly simple, stylistic and heartwarming feel. This film could use a facelift, and just like *that* everyone would experience the life-changing gut punch that IS this movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

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Steven

Ok so take this in context...Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, and with Spielberg backing it. It's a fairy tale, circa late 80s/ early 90s. Not at the level of Princess Bride as it's a bit clunky during the plot transitions but if you pay close attention to the message of each scene, there is incredible revelation. Hanks, a former courageous fireman who lost his swag, a hypochondriac and lost soul in desperate pursuit of the meaning of life meets his destiny...to face his fears and jump in...as a former firefighter and jumping into volcano flames it's a subtle genius plot which is overlooked as it's slow and drawn out. So many metaphors and examples as Hanks discusses life events such as entering certain life events alone or watching a sunrise on the beach or talking with God. This movie isn't Citizen Kane or the Godfather, but if you spend time really watching it, there is an amazing answer to question of what is life .. wrapped up in an amazing fairytale ending song during credits. They don't make movies like this anymore nor will they..but if you're in the mood for an older thought provoking romcom from the late 20th century then this is the movie for you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/23

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cogsys c

Absurdist film that has aged very well, I recommend to anyone who needs to shake off a brain fog.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

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John Patrick Shanley

Director

Tom Hanks

Joe

Meg Ryan

DeDe

Lloyd Bridges

Graynamore

Robert Stack

Dr. Ellison

Abe Vigoda

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Synopsis

Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is dying, apparently. This is good news, since his life was not much worth living anyway. On the upside, a strange millionaire (Lloyd Bridges) offers Joe a way to die with meaning and dignity: by hurling himself into a volcano. With plenty of spending cash and an ensemble of new luggage, Joe embarks on an absurdist journey to his demise, guided by two very disparate sisters, and trying to puzzle out the meaning of existence.

Director: John Patrick Shanley
Producer: Teri Schwartz
Screenwriter: John Patrick Shanley
Production Co: Warner Bros., Polyphony Digital, Amblin Entertainment
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $39.1M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Surround

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