Reader comments
Joe Versus the Volcano

Joe Versus The Volcano is simply the most brilliant and
psychologically insightful film ever made! It is the
profoundly quintesential movie statement on the human
condition and the meaning of life! Joe Banks is 'everyman'
faced with the eternal questions of life and death versus
merely existing and really living. Mr. Waturi, Joe's boss
represents the oppression of expectations and
societal regimentation. Joes's 'brain cloud' is a metaphor
for the confusion and muddled machinations of a mind
steeped in oppressive and continual hesitantion of
self-doubt. Meg Ryan's exquisite triple role represents in
archtype all women struggling upward through the structure
of a male dominated and angst ridden social order. Hers is
a powerfully portrayed search for freedom and meaning,
which
finally results in her acheiving both through a triumphant
leap of faith. The transcendent finality of the leap into
the volcano represents the embracing of true love and self
will, as the two protagonists discover in each other life's
ultimate freedom: the freedom to be one's true self in
spite of all the world, even if only for a moment! Smiles!!

It's been years since I saw this movie but the mere
mention of its name makes me shutter! It was the poorest
excuse for a movie I have ever seen! It was a couple of
years before I could forgive Tom Hanks for choosing to
appear in such a movie. It was without humor or meaning.
After watching this movie I felt the theatre should have
paid me for sitting through it! Having recently watched
Daddy Daycare I would have to say both movies fall into
this same category.

I really can't understand why so many critics loved this
movie. This is a pointless movie with horrible dialogue
and a ridiculous premise. It was torture to sit through.
A rare stinker for Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.