Joe the King 1999

Joe the King 1999

Joe the King 1999
R | 1h 33min | Crime, Drama | 22 January 1999 (USA)

Storyline:

A destitute 14-year-old struggles to keep his life together despite harsh abuse at his mother’s hands, harsher abuse at his father’s, and a growing separation from his slightly older brother. Petty thefts for food grow into more major takes until he steals a cash box from the diner where he works. Although Joe uses the money to pay off some of his father’s debts and to replace his mother’s records that his father smashed in a fit of temper, Joe gets no thanks.

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language and abusive situations concerning a child

User review:

This movie came as a total surprise the other night. Intrigued with the prospect of watching Frank Whalley’s take on the film, we decided to watch and it paid off royally. Mr. Whalley has learned his lesson well, both in front, and behind the camera. Frank Whalley is a man capable of getting a lot out of his cast, having been in that position himself.

The film is a disturbing account on a family that appears to be beyond dysfunctional. The father, Bob Henry, is a man that life has passed him by and has sought company with the bottle; he is the janitor in his children’s school. As seems to be the case with men in this situation, Bob vents his frustrations with whoever crosses him, as we watch in horror the way he beats his wife.

Joe, the sensitive young son, is ridiculed in school by a teacher at a tender age, where compassion for his state in life would have worked better. As he grows, he becomes a a young man that will do whatever in order to get what he wants. He begins stealing from the stores he is sent on errands as well as from the restaurant where he is employed as a dishwasher. We watch him as he eats hungrily the leftovers that come his way before washing those plates. Eventually, Joe will go to stealing from his boss and getting into trouble that will scar him for life. The only kindness Joe receives is from the teacher counselor in his school.

The best achievement for the director is the acting quality he gets from his cast. Noah Fleiss, who portrays Joe, is the best thing in the film. He is a young talent to watch. Val Kilmer is seen as the father who seems to live in a permanent fog caused by his heavy drinking. Karen Young is Theresa, the suffering wife. Ethan Hawke plays the kind hearted teacher and Camryn Manheim is the horrible one.

Director: Frank Whaley
Writer: Frank Whaley
Stars: Noah Fleiss, Karen Young, Camryn Manheim
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 22 January 1999 (USA)
Also Known As: Pleasant View Avenue
Filming Locations: New York City, New York, USA