Joe - B

Rated R, 117 minutes

"Joe" a gritty but well-acted tale of redemption finds Cage in good form

Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan

Every so often Nicolas Cage returns to his indie roots and you realize he's a decent actor instead of the annoying action star he sold out to be. The dark indie drama "Joe" directed by Dallasite David Gordon Green is well-acted but edgier fare than usual for Cage, yet it's one of his better performances of late. Cage stars as hard-living, hot-tempered, ex-con Joe Ransom, who is just trying to dodge his instincts for trouble - until he meets a hard-luck but hard-working kid, (Mud's Tye Sheridan) who awakens in him a fierce and tender-hearted protector. Directed by Green and written by Gary Hawkins based on Larry Brown's novel, it's a gripping though violent, often bizarre tale that may not win over some of Cage's usual fan base. The slow first act in particular is a bit rambling, but it comes together quite nicely in the foreboding, tragic last act along with some nice performances. Cage's low-key, intense turn works well with Sheridan's emotionally bruised turn, who upstages Cage with a natural charm and smile that could make him as big a star as Cage. Those who enjoyed him in his breakout turn in last year's "Mud" will enjoy him here too, and here's hoping we see more of him. "Joe" is filled with some unusual, downright weird moments (Cage skillfully cutting up a deer and a bloody dog fight among them) and Green draws it out too long, but the strong performances and the Cage-Sheridan chemistry make this a memorable film. "Joe" is bizarre, gritty, poignant and far from mainstream, which is the film's appeal. Definitely worth a look yet very different from you might expect from Cage.

Wes's Grade: B