Beautiful Joe (2000) User Reviews

Performances save this film

[Angeneer · 7/10 · 22 March 2006]

This is a by the numbers romantic comedy, which obviously has borrowed heavily from a lot of successful movies in terms of the storyline (terminal condition, bad girl/good guy, mob subplot, well hello). Although not original, it's not boring. It would though be just another movie if not for Bill Connolly and Sharon Stone. They deliver mature, convincing performances and genuinely succeed at creating empathy for their characters. Especially Sharon Stone's charm and natural beauty is unparalleled. You really could fall for her even if she was the worst person on earth.

So not a masterpiece, but not disappointing either.

Not a bad flick at all

[ejon49 · 6/10 · 11 March 2005]

I passed over Beautiful Joe at the video store for more than a year as I went through titles of non-first run films that I had not watched. After a year, I grabbed this one off the shelf and was pleasantly surprised by it. I thoroughly enjoyed the warmth that Billy Connolly gave his "beautiful" Joe character in his "adventures" with Sharon Stone and her two children. He seemed to genuinely enjoy the kids. Stone's "Hush" character kept the film consistent and on track. I enjoyed her sex appeal in her youth. I now appreciate the depth she brings to the roles she's been playing as a mature woman. I also liked how the director and screenwriter didn't bury Jurnee Smollett or Dillon Moen, Stone's two children, in the script. They had a closeness about them that made them feel like real brothers and sisters. Not a bad film. It's one I'd watch again.

Could have been better but Billy Connolly shines

[triple8 · 5/10 · 15 May 2006]

SPOILERS THROUGH:

I did not think this was a bad movie but neither did I think it was great. There were a few things I didn't like, one being the amount of plot contrivances. A lot of movies have that aspect but sometimes there's other things that are so well done it kinds of takes the focus off that aspect. Not here. There's a lot that just seems(for lack of a better term: "put on".) And the amount of bad things that keep Cropping up and happening just when one is over with almost makes that the focus of the movie.

Then there's the amount of screeching and melodrama. And when Hush and Joe were fighting in the casino how come nobody even batted an eye except the kids? Wouldn't SOMEBODY have told them to be quiet? It's things like that which took away from my enjoyment of this movie. Then toward the end it got really tough. I mean every five minutes something would come up to make it seem like Joe and Hush were finished. After awhile it's tough not to think "Just get together already".

The movie is not at all unwatchable. It's not what I'd call bad. But I'd only Give it a 5 or 6 or so for the reasons mentioned above. In terms of positives there were a couple of things that really stuck out. One was Sharon Stone in this role. When she lessened up on the screeching she was excellent and I wish her character had been a little-well-CALMER-because Stone is a really good actress when she's playing quality Roles and I think, though she brought some nice aspects to the role of Hush, she could have brought even more if the role had been toned down a bit.

Now the SECOND and most important thing I liked was Billy Connolly as Joe. He created a lovely character and even though I didn't love the movie I did think he did a 10 of 10 in his portrayal of Joe. That was without a doubt the highlight of the movie.

I kind of wish this movie had been either a straight out noir with quieter characters, more mystery, and less screaming or a sweet family drama. There seems to have been a lot of potential here because the storyline in general sounds somewhat intriguing. But there was a lot that seemed forced. The movie is not bad but was not great however the character of Joe is one that I'll remember and if one is going to see this movie they should see it for that reason. My vote for the movie overall is about average.

I wonder what might have been.

[Carcuss · 12 May 2002]

Due to a special affection for Scottish comedy legend Billy Connolly, I saw Beautiful Joe. I love low budget film and I love a good heart tugging story. Connolly's Joe is a charming character that one can't help but like from the films opening. A Scot playing an Irishman amused me, particularly that the extent of his Irish accent was to say "Tanks" instead of "Thanks", but Connolly's charm sees this of little annoyance. Sharon Stone, who I normally don't care for, hits all the right notes in a very good performance as the tough as nails barhopping single mother. The two leads play off each other wonderfully without being drawn into the sentimentality of the piece. The two child actors are also first rate, particularly in their scenes with Connolly. Ian Holm, Dan Florek and Gil Bellows provide some lovely touches in their small roles. The problem? The script is quite predictable and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to put it together. The unforgivable aspect however, is the constant view of the boom microphone in the shot. This doesn't happen just once, it happens several times and so obtrusively that it detracts from the viewers ability to get stuck into and believe the film (at least with this viewer it did). That aspect tainted the film badly, which is a shame because the work of Connolly and Stone is truly first rate. Visible boom microphone aside, Beautiful Joe is well worth seeing as a nice feel good film with some top notch acting.

For romcom junkies only

[=G= · 6/10 · 16 April 2003]

"Beautiful Joe" tells of an irrepressible and likeable Irish florist who learns he has a brain tumor and decides to take a last blast road trip before his possibly fatal surgery. He falls in with and falls in love with a gambling woman with a checkered past and some troublesome underworld connections. With all the ear marks of a low budget indie, "BJ" moves from one sentimental moment to another with enough heart to make its journeyman execution easy to overlook. A fun but raggedy little romantic comedy which is as easy to like as it is to criticize. (C+)

Cute

[smatysia · 6/10 · 20 January 2001]

A cute little film. I'm not familiar with this Billy Connolly, so I don't know if he really has that Irish brogue, or if he acted it. It was good, anyway. Sharon Stone continues to prove her acting range with a dramatic role (also with an accent). I had never heard of this film when it came on cable, but it was sweet. Worth catching the next time it comes on.

Average Joe!

[the amorphousmachine · 5/10 · 23 May 2002]

Low-budget film written and directed by Stephen Metcalfe, a first time director but previous screenwriter. Billy Connolly and Sharon Stone share the lead roles in this romantic comedy. Connolly plays Joe- a decent guy who has a brain tumor, who meets Hush (Sharon Stone) who is on the run from nasty thugs (Gil Bellows and Ian Holm). Joe eventually bonds with Hush's family, and the eventual romance occurs.

This is an okay film but is tedious in parts, and Connolly and Stone lack chemistry! It had its moments, but not enough to make this a memorable film, or a particular good one either. Although, its not that bad either considering the obvious low-budget. As a big fan of both Billy Connolly and Sharon Stone, I was a little disappointed with 'Beautiful Joe'.

**1/2 out of *****!

i liked it!

[lotusblues · 7/10 · 4 April 2006]

I usually don't go for the sappy movies, however, if you find yourself in the mood, this movie is a really good one. billy (joe) is an awesome nice guy and really cute and lovable Scottish accent (his own). sharon (alice) is awesome (with a cute southern accent) as the albatross around her own and her kids' neck but learns her lesson about what's important in the end. joe's long-time family friend turns out to be the hit-man on joe's and alice's tail (hired by the bad bookies). and so the bad guys get it in the end while joe's brain tumor operation goes well, and alice and the kids (whom have fallen for joe as well) are at his bedside to be there for him, as he was for their little family. sappy but cuter than a junebug!

First Impressions Last

[wlfgdn · 4/10 · 10 March 2012]

This could be the right movie for the right people at the right time but I have a big big problem with the title. "Beautiful Joe" is a famous child's story about a dog and to use that for the title of this movie epitomizes the worst of present day Hollywood which is that they have no respect for the audience. The lead role could have been a Jerry or a Walt or anybody else and the title would have worked even better for this movie. But since we know the two groups of people in this country most cut off from reality are always those in Washington and those in Hollywood, we get "Beautiful Joe".

This movie would be just the thing for a middle aged or older couple on a date or romantic evening at home. I bought the VHS tape at a yardsale for a quarter; it is represented as a dark comedy perhaps similar to Get Shorty or A Fish Called Wanda. That is only in their dreams as it really is not funny beyond the most basic of stock gags. In fact from what I watched, about a third of the entire movie, it is really nothing but tired stock bits strung together. E.g. mugger attacks couple but woman kicks his butt, man goes home with sexy woman but ends up buying food for kids instead. Safe proved techniques, all very boring to me.

Sharon Stone's character is your slightly aging, could stand to lose just a few pounds but still hot Miami or Catskills resort gold-digger type. She doesn't do badly but she doesn't do enough. If this is to be a sexy funny movie, she could have been a bit sexier and a bit funnier. In general the film works harder not to be sexy, than to be sexy; and not to be funny, than to be funny.

As a date movie or a chick flick for the right people, this movie could do just fine. I don't expect that single men or any younger viewers would find much in it.

Better than expected

[dominicci · 6/10 · 22 May 2001]

This movie is very good. I will categorize it as a drama-comedy. Sharon Stone's southern accent is annoying at first but then I got use to it. There are some things that could have been better but this much better than lots of wide release movies. I recommend it.

5 Whole minutes

[vnvffvnv · 1/10 · 7 December 2021]

I use subtitles due to bad audio & hearing. These don't even match the dialog. Add to that the stellar acting. And it was a bust.

I have to add more verbage in order satisfy the guide lines.

it was better than i thought, a lot better than i thought

[billcue · 10/10 · 17 April 2002]

definitely not what i expected from the trailer. it was so much better, i'm not a sharon stone fan- however she was really good in this film. i'd pick it up if i were you. billy connelly was really fabulous. and together as a pair on the screen they were great.

Poorly acted mish-mash

[marconi · 4/10 · 1 June 2001]

This had potential, but the script ran out of ideas after 10 minutes and became obvious and completely predictable. Billy Connolly is held back and allowed to show only a few glimpses of his great comedy and acting talent, while Sharon Stone goes way over the top as she tries to compensate.

A poor film all-round, where deus-ex-machina rules.

uneven romantic comedy

[Buddy-51 · 12 July 2001]

Though likable in many ways, `Beautiful Joe' is one of those maddeningly inconsistent movies in which the plot keeps getting in the way of the finer elements of the picture. Here we have a film that is far more effective in its moments of quiet contemplation than the moments in which it indulges in grand melodramatic gestures. The latter do not happen frequently enough to actually kill the picture, but you can't accuse them of not trying.

Writer/director Stephen Metcalfe has concocted a screenplay that is part romantic comedy, part `road movie' and part petty gangster picture. The mixture never really jells. The film focuses around a sweet, good-natured, hopelessly optimistic Irish immigrant so beloved in his heavily ethnic Bronx neighborhood that his neighbors have affectionately nicknamed him `Beautiful Joe.' One day Joe is informed by his doctor that he has a potentially life threatening brain tumor. Conveniently for purposes of the plot, Joe also happens to discover on that day (though everyone else seems to have long known it) that his slatternly wife has been cheating on him. This frees him up to load his van and set out in search of the adventure he never really experienced in his peaceful but humdrum existence. While in Kentucky, he meets `Hush' Mason, a down-on-her-luck gambler and exotic dancer with two children who also happens to be involved with a parcel of petty gangsters led by one `George the Geek' whose sadism emerges in his various dealings with Joe, Hush, her children and his own loyal henchmen.

`Beautiful Joe' is at its best when it concentrates on the quiet moments that occur between these two oddball people – one a rock of stability, sanity and virtue in a cruel, chaotic world and the other a mess of insecurities, weaknesses and vulnerabilities who needs someone like Joe to help pull her out of that world. When Sharon Stone and Billy Connolly share screen time together (along with Jurnee Smollett and Dillon Moen who play her children), the film is believable and touching. However, Metcalfe seems unwilling to leave well enough alone because he has injected into the film a truly awful subplot involving a group of bumbling gangsters who manage to bring the film crashing down every time they appear in a scene. Luckily for us and for the film, they disappear through long stretches of the movie's running time, allowing time for us to concentrate on the individuals at the story's core. Even here, however, some of the plot details seem unnecessarily hokey and distracting, such as Hush's son's refusal to talk being overcome at the last minute – an obvious device to squeeze as many tears out of the audience as is legally possible. Indeed, the whole final act overindulges itself on syrupy sentiment.

Connolly and Stone are both excellent in their roles, Connolly appearing strong, compassionate and virtuous all at the same time, while Stone displays just the right amount of feistiness and vulnerability to make her character ring true and likable.

A pity Metcalfe doesn't display the discipline of tone and plotting necessary to make this film a total triumph. But for the elements that are good in it – and they are indeed manifold – `Beautiful Joe' is a film that deserves to be seen and enjoyed.

Duality

[raulfaust · 6/10 · 10 February 2015]

Well, "Beautiful Joe" is a low budget film, so, consequently, it has had a very little publicity. However, that fact doesn't necessarily mean that it's a bad movie, and in this case, it's actually not a bad project. The plot is sometimes too rushed-- like in the scenes involving Joe's brain cancer--, but that happens in order to bring the story's main subject more quickly: the romance. Joe abandons his former life to discover the world out there, and albeit he gets involved with a troublesome woman, he finds a new happiness along with her. On the other hand, I may admit that the story feels too generic and ordinary to be told in a feature-film, but it can still be enjoyed as long as the spectator buys the spirit of it. Also, I disagree with its synopsis that has been written on IMDb; Joe is nothing close to a "really nice guy", whereas Hush isn't a "really bad girl" as well. That being said, in my opinion and in conclusion, "Beautiful Joe" doesn't bring anything new to the genre that it's been produced in, but it is surely a humble project that entertains the average audience.

'Beautiful Joe' is a prime example of filmmaking at its worst

[rah25 · 1/10 · 27 November 2003]

Sharon Stone stars as Hush, a sleazy and irresponsible woman who has two children and lives in a small apartment. She is also in debt with a low-rate loan shark and, as a result, she is constantly being threatened by them. However, she eventually meets Joe (Billy Connolly), a man whose wife has just left him and also has found out that he has a brain tumor. They both fall in love while he helps her deal with her problems.

With such a story, one would think that this movie would add up to something good. However, the reality is that 'Beautiful Joe' is a film that does not work on any level. It starts out as a drama that puts an emphasis on a rather unconvincing love story between Joe and Hush. It then shifts to comedy (rather lame comedy that is) during the middle of the film. By the end, the film once again shifts back to drama. With such a lack of direction in a poor script and terrible acting (especially from Stone, whose career is definitely in freefall), 'Beautiful Joe' is anything but beautiful. (1/10)

ugly kid joe

[dpratt5313 · 1/10 · 6 January 2004]

Billy Connolly stars a florist who finds out he has a brain tumor and that his wife wants a divorce all in the same day. Mr. Connolly's bad day is not over because he takes off from work in search of adventure and runs smack into Sharon Stone. Ms. Stone plays a woman with a gambling problem and drags along two kids with her that apparently have no father.

The only other movie I have seen Mr. Connolly in was an old Columbo episode where he was caught partially by the evidence of him marking the rum bottle with his thumbnail so he would know when he had enough. You will be marking your DVD with your thumbnail early on on this clunker because about 5 minutes of this stinker is 5 minutes too much. Ms. Stone's accent was almost enough to send my foot through the screen. It was the worst attempt at an accent since-well since Ms. Stone's accent in the remake of "Gloria".

Mild Spoilers

I think that anyone can figure out where this movie is going (Connolly will bond with the kids and eventually with Sharon Stone) but I did want to mention the silent kid. It reminded me of the old joke where the a kid has never said anything his whole life until he sees a bull charging at his father. He yells a warning out to his father who gets out of the way of the bull. He asks his son why he has never spoken before and his son replies that he never had anything to say before now. The boy in this movie speaks for the very same reason.

Last thought

If a DVD can have features such as different languages- can't we get one where it can remove a bad accent from the movie and we hear the actress in their normal voice?

rating 1 out of 10

Is this a joke

[bsinc · 3/10 · 20 December 2002]

What was Sharon Stone thinking. To see her in this sorry excuse of, well anything, is truly a terrible offense. The once sexiest woman in Hollywood starring opposite Billy Connely, (who, supposedly is very funny?) in a movie that doesn't know what to do with itself. One cliche after another, but the worst part is the acting. Gil Bellows, the guy from "Ally McBeal" is plain terrible, he singlehandedly ruins what's left of this fiasco. So there is absolutely NOTHING even remotely good about this crappy movie. Never should have rented it! 3/10

A Winning Team

[danceability-1 · 10/10 · 5 December 2009]

It seems to me that almost everyone who writes or directs a movie these days throws gangsters into the potpourri of their films. And I do mean that exact word "throws." This is otherwise a very human scale romantic comedy and drama vehicle very ably acted by Sharon Stone, as a woman in need of rescue from a life lived too close to the edge, and Billy Connolly, a rock of a man beloved by all. They are an unlikely pairing but it works. The jist of their plot is whether Stone's character can finally settle down with a worthwhile guy (Joe) instead of the marginal losers she normally ends up with. Then there is the whole gangster subplot which involves gangsters after both Stone and Connolly with reasoning and results so convoluted that all you can do is groan when they come on screen again. Maybe these movies get financed when the producers hear the word "gangsters." I can come up with no other reason why they are being inserted into every other film I am seeing these days.

I was delightfully surprised to see Sharon Stone and Billy Connolly in a movie together. An unlikely match, you say! But the story and plot were superb! Billy has toned down his humor, but it shines through. Sharon was an excellent love interest for him. He plays his role with tenderness, humor, bravado, and extreme likability. She has a role which is not typical for her, nevertheless a good one. I highly recommend watching this movie.

danceability-1, Amsterdam Holland

Beautiful Billy?

[seveb-25179 · 5/10 · 5 October 2018]

Billy Connolly plays it cool while everyone else goes over the top in this Sharon Stone rom-com vehicle. And while that may not seem like the best use of his talents, his understated charm lifts this production several notches from what it would have been without him. Not that Sharon Stone doesn't do a credible job as the flaky female of the story, as do most of the other actors, but it just seems to me to be a criminal waste to have one of the great comedians of the second half of the 20th century play the straight man while a bunch of dramatic actors ham it up trying to be funny?

enjoyable little film, with a few flaws

[ivana2804 · 15 September 2002]

I saw this film on TV, and though its bad sides, it's a quite enjoyable romantic comedy. I'm not a fan of romcoms in general, so any such film that I can stand must be pretty good. Of course, a big part of the reason are the leads, since I like both Billy Connelly and Sharon Stone, who, in their different ways, are not the typical sugary romcom stars, such as Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant etc. (A film with any of the mentioned is sure to make me want to throw up.) One of the setbacks is that I often get annoyed by actors doing a Southern accent, and it was no different here, but I got used to it after a while.

However, the performances are uneven. The plot with the bad guys is very bad. The mobsters are very unconvicing, and the guy from Ally McBeal is really awful. He was obviously trying to shed the good guy image and show he has 'range', but he's cartoonish and over-the-top. His character really hurt the film the most.

On the other hand, Connelly, Stone and the kids are fine, but I want to point out another performance that impressed me the most. Another TV face, not very famous - Roger Cross, who played the aliens Joshua/Cain in SF series 'First Wave', shows up in one scene, for about 2 or 3 minutes, as Stone's ex who's in jail, and proves that there are no small roles. If anything impressed me in this film, it's that scene - which proves you don't need much screen time or many lines to make a memorable character.

A beautiful film.

[ktmphd · 8/10 · 24 November 2000]

This is a really beautiful film. Billy Connelly is tops and Sharon Stone again shows she can play a role vs. being a role. And the two kid actors! Wow, where did they find them?

Stone is wonderfully over and under played as the woman who life has dissed and who has no control over herself. Connelly is more than wonderful as the Irish immigrant who comes to love her, understand her and save her (and her children) from herself.

Watch it and enjoy it!

Sweet little flick

[gtslade-1 · 8/10 · 7 November 2005]

Not a great film, but not bad either. Cast are excellent and it's fun. Plus, except for a few swear words, you could watch it with adults. Billy Connolly is always entertaining. Imagine how great he'd be if he ever changed his hair do. Sharon Stone plays an over-the-top floozy (or is it floozie?) with too much makeup and too little clothing. No nudity, though. And if she seems different, Gil Bellows is a far cry from the Allie McBeal attorney. I recognised Ian Holm, but I couldn't recall from where. The British actor gives an incredible performance as a tough mobster who may have just met his match. Or not. And Jurnee Smollett is delightful as the daughter, who is a far better judge of men than her mom. Written and directed by Stephen Metcalfe, who manages to avoid annoying clichés until the very end. Then again, at least it has an ending.

2 stars posthumously

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 3 December 2000]

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

An intriguing casting decision to pit Sharon Stone and Billy Connelly together in one film,but still,Beautiful Joe is really not a winner.It runs for 94 minutes for what feels like 994,and there's a ametuerishly cliched feel to it,which feels very strange.Every major star seems dispensable in the movie business,and when names like Stone and Connelly would have drawn huge box office crowds as early as about 5 years ago,they're appearing in the equivelent of cable TV movies nowaday.Stone's still as great a sexy slut today as she's always been,but you really only need to admire the cover for that.**