Une blonde en cavale

A cute little film. I'm not familiar with this Billy Connolly, so I don't know if he really has that Irish brogue, or if he acted it. It was good, anyway. Sharon Stone continues to prove her acting range with a dramatic role (also with an accent). I had never heard of this film when it came on cable, but it was sweet. Worth catching the next time it comes on.

"Beautiful Joe" tells of an irrepressible and likeable Irish florist who learns he has a brain tumor and decides to take a last blast road trip before his possibly fatal surgery. He falls in with and falls in love with a gambling woman with a checkered past and some troublesome underworld connections. With all the ear marks of a low budget indie, "BJ" moves from one sentimental moment to another with enough heart to make its journeyman execution easy to overlook. A fun but raggedy little romantic comedy which is as easy to like as it is to criticize. (C+)

Low-budget film written and directed by Stephen Metcalfe, a first time director but previous screenwriter. Billy Connolly and Sharon Stone share the lead roles in this romantic comedy. Connolly plays Joe- a decent guy who has a brain tumor, who meets Hush (Sharon Stone) who is on the run from nasty thugs (Gil Bellows and Ian Holm). Joe eventually bonds with Hush's family, and the eventual romance occurs.

This is an okay film but is tedious in parts, and Connolly and Stone lack chemistry! It had its moments, but not enough to make this a memorable film, or a particular good one either. Although, its not that bad either considering the obvious low-budget. As a big fan of both Billy Connolly and Sharon Stone, I was a little disappointed with 'Beautiful Joe'.

**1/2 out of *****!

This is a by the numbers romantic comedy, which obviously has borrowed heavily from a lot of successful movies in terms of the storyline (terminal condition, bad girl/good guy, mob subplot, well hello). Although not original, it's not boring. It would though be just another movie if not for Bill Connolly and Sharon Stone. They deliver mature, convincing performances and genuinely succeed at creating empathy for their characters. Especially Sharon Stone's charm and natural beauty is unparalleled. You really could fall for her even if she was the worst person on earth.

So not a masterpiece, but not disappointing either.

This is a really beautiful film. Billy Connelly is tops and Sharon Stone again shows she can play a role vs. being a role. And the two kid actors! Wow, where did they find them?

Stone is wonderfully over and under played as the woman who life has dissed and who has no control over herself. Connelly is more than wonderful as the Irish immigrant who comes to love her, understand her and save her (and her children) from herself.

Watch it and enjoy it!