My Name Is Joe

With dogme-esque style, "My Name is Joe" takes the audience to Scotland and into a pivotal slice of life of one alcoholic Scot...a man named Joe who, nearing midlife, finds himself still struggling for some semblance of success and happiness. Earnest, honest, and realistic apply to both film and character in this look at the seamier side of Scottish life. An excellent watch for those who enjoy realistic Euro-flicks.

I came across this film by accident on video, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality. Ken Loach is again at his best using little known or non-actors set in a British working class background. Joe is a reformed alcoholic on the dole in Glasgow, trying to pick his life up again. Loach's vision and understanding of life close to the limit is amazing. For me, this is a "must see" film.

"My Name is Joe" is a film in which the complexities of social issues are explored to reveal unpalatable truths. It seems some people can find themselves in situations in which all their choices are wrong ones! This film pulls no punches and is totally believable. Perceptively cast this is a film full of poignancy and depth. "My Name is Joe" is Ken Loach at his very best.

I finally got the DVD today in the mail, so I could watch this film. Now I'm from the Netherlands and my English is pretty good, but my Scottisch is not so good (thank god for the subtitles lol). But, I did get the general message, which is pretty global. What Joe is dealing with, trying to stay sober and creating a good life for himself and his "family". Its very recognizable. The acting was brilliant, and very very honest and realistic. There just aren't enough films like these. One's with REAL stories to tell, real life stories. What is so wrong with watching reality? Normal life is hard enough, and its OK to show that. We don't always have to see all the glitter and glamour of Hollywood. People go see this film, if I had ten thumbs, I would give him ten thumbs UP. Thank you Mr. Mullan and all the others working on this film for this beautiful honest film.

A review of this film in the Telegraph asks, "Why do people go to see Ken Loach films?" I would suggest that people go to see Ken Loach films because they're interested in society, interested in how people live, and keen to see films about REAL people i.e. people who aren't rich and beautiful and don't live in charming pieds a terre in Chelsea ... My Name is Joe is at the same time heartwarming and heartbreaking, making you feel good about the characters whilst thanking your lucky stars that you don't live the lives they do. Go and see it with an open mind and a thirst for realism.

The awesome realism of "Once Were Warriors" (New Zealand, 1994), successfully transposed to Glasgow, Scotland. Solid, decent human beings use alcohol and drugs to "cope" with life. But, life only gets worse, loyalties are brutally tested, and one poor unfortunate will not survive. But, don't think this to be another flaccid piece of cliched, anti-drug drivel. No, this film speaks powerfully to the perverse, and often vicious, arbitrariness of life. Darwinians, of course, will be unmoved. The rest of us, however, will be chilled by the scale of our impotence in making this world a better place. Prepare yourself to feel humbled.