SummaryAbused by his mother and his harsh, drunk father (Kilmer), 14-year-old Joe (Fleiss) progresses from committing petty thefts for food to stealing the cashbox from his employer to pay off his father's debts, all of which lead to disaster.
Directed By:Frank Whaley
Written By:Frank Whaley
Joe the King
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
61% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
35% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
100
This is a smart film, told in a minor key, that augurs well for Whaley's directing career.
75
One of my favorite U.S. fiction features at 1999's Sundance Festival.
75
Whaley's self-effacing but strongly etched and wrenchingly effective film.
70
Deftly realist character study.
60
Antisentimental to a fault.
60
The film belongs to Fleiss, and he makes Joe's inner life so transparent that it's heartbreaking to watch the boy dig himself into a hole.
30
Without any trustworthy characters for young Joe and no actual story development, the movie drags.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
50% Positive
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
33% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
17% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Feb 24, 2013
6
What a depressing movie!? That poor kid! It really makes you wonder just how many kids are suffering the same way on a daily basis right under our noses. I'll tell ya one thing, this movie sure makes you appreciate what you've got.
Production Company:
- 49th Parallel Productions
- Forensic/291 Films
- Lower East Side Films
Release Date:Oct 15, 1999
Duration:1 h 33 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Winner of the Sundance Film Festival Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award
Awards
Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Gotham Awards
• 1 Nomination
Young Artist Awards
• 1 Nomination
