Just Like Joe (2008) User Reviews

Just Like Joe Is An Engaging Experience Throughout!

[reesho · 9/10 · 12 July 2008]

Wow! I didn't know what to expect when I went to the premier of the indie - Just Like Joe, but it turns out I was really blown away! This is a period piece that takes place in 1969 and the film IMO really captures a lot of what was going on back then. Top shelf acting from a mostly unknown cast kept me riveted throughout the film. There's almost too much talent here to fit into one movie!

This is a heart warming story largely centered around three best friends (Paul, Tony, and Frank - played by Matthew Pappadia, Jean Bonavita and Clifford Lee) who play together in their high school varsity football team - The Bruins, dealing with an unruly coach (Coach Bengotto played by Anthony Trentacosta) and who are burdened with the Vietnam draft looming over their heads while they take refuge in celebrating their idol Joe Namath (the movie title's namesake). Matthew Pappadia who plays Paul has the leading role and what a phenomenal job he did! But I don't know how to single him out without also noting the superb and emotionally very strong performances by Trentacosta, Jessica Tsunis who plays Paul's sweetheart, and Paul Vario who plays Pauls's blind father with extraordinary expertise. Jean Bonativa's performance is so real and naturally comedic I can see a great future ahead of him as I do for most of the actors in this film. But but but wait there's more...

Cate Magrane who plays Paul's mom is totally believable and Gay Lee who plays Frank's (Clifford Lee) Mom in the film will move you - no doubt, as well as Clifford Lee's performance. Also worthy of mention are Richie Lamp- another new face that we should be seeing a lot more of, who plays Mr. "L", giving a convincing portrayal of a rebel history teacher embittered by the fact that he didn't get the varsity football coaching job but has a special affinity for his students, and Tim Dougherty who plays Principle Werner - Mr. L's nemesis.

Truly every performance is excellent including co-writer Joanne Tamburro's cameo appearance as an irate Mom and Steven Jackman portraying a militant Black Panther trying to recruit Frank (Clifford Lee).

Look it's simple, if you enjoy great acting and an engaging story then you owe it to yourself to go and see this film. Look for it in upcoming festivals. It's a must see!

I liked "Just Like Joe"!

[elizmb · 9/10 · 10 July 2008]

Just Like Joe has stayed with me since viewing it a few days ago. A child of the 60s, it was a visit back in time that helped me better understand my own evolution through that period of history.

This is an excellent family movie for baby boomer parents to see with their teenage and young adult children (as I did ). No reason to cringe in any part.

It was both entertaining and a review of our history as Americans during a turbulent time.

The movie facilitated wonderful dialog about the parallels and differences about war, race and stage of life issues.

The original music was excellent and more sophisticated than I would have expected for a low budget film. The period music had me rocking and was perfectly placed.

Seeing it in an old fashioned movie theater was the best.... no interruptions as with viewing at home!!

A VERY good film that taught me more about the Vietnam era!

[phyllisjgr · 9/10 · 18 September 2008]

"Just Like Joe" was a very moving and realistic film which had well placed comedy parts in-between the drama that was unfolding. I found myself comparing it to "Coming Home," one of my all time favorite movies, which is an anti-Vietnam picture.

Aside from dealing with high school seniors being faced with the fear of being chosen to go off to the horrors of war, and with the decision whether to do so or to draft dodge, this movie deals with several issues. It deals with family relationships (Some of my favorite scenes are between the lead and his father, the latter of whom I think is the most natural actor in the film.

There is also part of a scene with the lead, his girlfriend and his mother in which the mother's reaction is absolutely hysterically funny.

The friendships between the football buddies, the between the girls, and the lead and his girlfriend, all giving an idea of the social and sexual pressures that high schoolers go through.

The qualities of teamwork and leadership, are so powerfully illustrated in the scenes in the football locker room and the football field.

Racism and the advent of Afro-American power were also handled in a way in which it did conveyed its message without banging the viewer over the head.

Finally, probably the most important point that "Just Like Joe" makes is that it does not matter what job (where a person is in society) a person does (that is -- where he falls in society). Instead, what matters is that he is that he does the best job that he can!

Just Like Joe

[rosehorner · 10/10 · 20 July 2008]

Just Like Joe is a movie that keeps you at the edge of your seat. You find yourself laughing, you find yourself crying, you find yourself wanting to get up and applaud when the movie ends.

Just Like Joe is the type of movie that stays with you days after you've seen it. You can't believe how it has moved you.

Just Like Joe is one of the best movies I have seen in years. I recommend it to all ages, young and old.

I congratulate the writers for giving us a phenomenal story. I congratulate Fred Carpenter, the Director, who was able to successfully paint the movie with the soul of the times that easily grabbed the audience's hearts and blew us away. How refreshing to see a movie of substance, finally. TEN OUT OF TEN!