'Good Joe Bell': Film Review | TIFF 2020

Sincere and emotionally charged, the movie doesn't entirely skirt the tenor of an after school special or a dramatized Trevor Project PSA. But that doesn't make the story any less moving or the victimization of LGBTQ youth any less urgent a social problem, even with the shifting attitudes and raised awareness of toxic bullying in recent years.

While the real Jadin's experience several years back made national news and became a catalyst for a much-needed conversation, the less you recall about that history going in, the more effective the movie will be. It's deftly structured with a major reveal around 40 minutes in that changes the meaning of everything that's come before. The ultimate outcome, drawn from fact, also packs another shock that brings a note of resonant pathos to the conclusion.

His calls back home to Lola and their other son Joseph infer that Joe's on a walk of forgiveness and understanding as much as a campaign against homophobia. It becomes apparent early on that a big part of that process will involve learning to forgive himself. Jadin questions what he thinks he's accomplishing by handing rednecks a card explaining his mission and walking away."This is America, OK, and they're Americans," Joe responds defensively.

After one especially ugly experience, Jadin and his parents see a school counselor , whose suggestions to change schools or try therapy don't help. While not condoning the bullies' actions, she explains that the high school student body is a reflection of the community's values, and a formal complaint against the offenders might cause more trouble than it's worth in a small town like theirs.

Likewise, the brownstones and housing projects of Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in the earlier film couldn't be further away from the wide-open heartland spaces offranchise or the more routine Wahlberg vehicle,— makes the beautifully shot physical environment no less integral to the story, the endless roads allowing no place to hide from scalding self-reflection.

Entertainment Entertainment Latest News, Entertainment Entertainment Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Getting Lost In A Good Book — Literally — In 'Kind Of A Big Deal'In Shannon Hale's new novel, a former child actor — who's finding her teen years challenging after a failed audition — discovers that she can physically enter books and become part of their stories. When I was a teenager I found comfort in the works of German Rudolf and Fred Leuchter This is the kind of book I would have devoured as a child.
Source: NPR - 🏆 96. / 63 Read more »

Hanging Tree Guitars: The Wood's 'Not Good, Not Bad, Not Ugly — Just Strange'North Carolina luthier Freeman Vines creates what have been called 'contemporary art sculptures hidden as guitars' out of old wood, some of it from a tree used for a lynching. 'There was something about that wood that was mental, spiritual,' Vines says. .i. This brother is very creative. It was a beautiful story of perseverance and faith. Great job. NPR
Source: NPR - 🏆 96. / 63 Read more »

Keselowski promised good result, delivers big win at RichmondEditorsNote: Adds ART; Edit 2: Cleared up quote, other minor tweaks Are you sure Debra please Bubba Wallace has retired after not coming in better then 25th place...
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »