Une blonde en cavale

Though likable in many ways, `Beautiful Joe' is one of those maddeningly inconsistent movies in which the plot keeps getting in the way of the finer elements of the picture. Here we have a film that is far more effective in its moments of quiet contemplation than the moments in which it indulges in grand melodramatic gestures. The latter do not happen frequently enough to actually kill the picture, but you can't accuse them of not trying.

Writer/director Stephen Metcalfe has concocted a screenplay that is part romantic comedy, part `road movie' and part petty gangster picture. The mixture never really jells. The film focuses around a sweet, good-natured, hopelessly optimistic Irish immigrant so beloved in his heavily ethnic Bronx neighborhood that his neighbors have affectionately nicknamed him `Beautiful Joe.' One day Joe is informed by his doctor that he has a potentially life threatening brain tumor. Conveniently for purposes of the plot, Joe also happens to discover on that day (though everyone else seems to have long known it) that his slatternly wife has been cheating on him. This frees him up to load his van and set out in search of the adventure he never really experienced in his peaceful but humdrum existence. While in Kentucky, he meets `Hush' Mason, a down-on-her-luck gambler and exotic dancer with two children who also happens to be involved with a parcel of petty gangsters led by one `George the Geek' whose sadism emerges in his various dealings with Joe, Hush, her children and his own loyal henchmen.

`Beautiful Joe' is at its best when it concentrates on the quiet moments that occur between these two oddball people – one a rock of stability, sanity and virtue in a cruel, chaotic world and the other a mess of insecurities, weaknesses and vulnerabilities who needs someone like Joe to help pull her out of that world. When Sharon Stone and Billy Connolly share screen time together (along with Jurnee Smollett and Dillon Moen who play her children), the film is believable and touching. However, Metcalfe seems unwilling to leave well enough alone because he has injected into the film a truly awful subplot involving a group of bumbling gangsters who manage to bring the film crashing down every time they appear in a scene. Luckily for us and for the film, they disappear through long stretches of the movie's running time, allowing time for us to concentrate on the individuals at the story's core. Even here, however, some of the plot details seem unnecessarily hokey and distracting, such as Hush's son's refusal to talk being overcome at the last minute – an obvious device to squeeze as many tears out of the audience as is legally possible. Indeed, the whole final act overindulges itself on syrupy sentiment.

Connolly and Stone are both excellent in their roles, Connolly appearing strong, compassionate and virtuous all at the same time, while Stone displays just the right amount of feistiness and vulnerability to make her character ring true and likable.

A pity Metcalfe doesn't display the discipline of tone and plotting necessary to make this film a total triumph. But for the elements that are good in it – and they are indeed manifold – `Beautiful Joe' is a film that deserves to be seen and enjoyed.

I passed over Beautiful Joe at the video store for more than a year as I went through titles of non-first run films that I had not watched. After a year, I grabbed this one off the shelf and was pleasantly surprised by it. I thoroughly enjoyed the warmth that Billy Connolly gave his "beautiful" Joe character in his "adventures" with Sharon Stone and her two children. He seemed to genuinely enjoy the kids. Stone's "Hush" character kept the film consistent and on track. I enjoyed her sex appeal in her youth. I now appreciate the depth she brings to the roles she's been playing as a mature woman. I also liked how the director and screenwriter didn't bury Jurnee Smollett or Dillon Moen, Stone's two children, in the script. They had a closeness about them that made them feel like real brothers and sisters. Not a bad film. It's one I'd watch again.

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!

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.

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 *****!