IMDb > Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
Joe Versus the Volcano
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Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) More at IMDbPro »

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Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) -- When a hypochondriac learns that he is dying, he accepts an offer to throw himself in a volcano at a tropical island, and along the way there, learns to truly live.
Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) -- MyMovieScripts.com - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
5.3/10   16,001 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writer (WGA):
John Patrick Shanley (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Joe Versus the Volcano on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 March 1990 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
An Average Joe. An Adventurous Comedy. more
Plot:
When a hypochondriac learns that he is dying, he accepts an offer to throw himself in a volcano at a tropical island, and along the way there, learns to truly live. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Kristen Bell loved punching Meg Ryan
 (From The Hollywood News. 19 October 2009, 1:37 PM, PDT)

The Hollywood Film Festival Announces Craft Honorees
 (From MovieWeb. 8 September 2009, 5:59 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
A misunderstood film explained more (175 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Tom Hanks ... Joe Banks

Meg Ryan ... DeDe / Angelica Graynamore / Patricia Graynamore

Lloyd Bridges ... Samuel Harvey Graynamore

Robert Stack ... Kenneth Hindmick / Dr. Ellison
Abe Vigoda ... Waponi Chief

Dan Hedaya ... Mr. Frank Waturi
Barry McGovern ... Luggage Salesman

Amanda Plummer ... Dagmar

Ossie Davis ... Marshall
Jayne Haynes ... Nurse
David Burton ... Mike

Carol Kane ... Cassandra the Hairdresser (as Lisa Le Blanc)

Jim Hudson ... Fred the Guard
Antoni Gatti ... Italian Tailor
Darrell Zwerling ... Underwear Salesman
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
102 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Writer's (John Patrick Shanley) trademark: one lover telling the other not to leave them 'in the stinkin' earth without them'. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Joe sits on the beach all night and the sun rises in the morning, the light casts onto Joe from the bottom up, rather than the top down as would be expected naturally. more
Quotes:
Waponi Chief: Do you want to marry him?
Patricia: Yes.
Waponi Chief: Do you want to marry her?
Joe Banks: Yes.
Waponi Chief: Good. You're married.
Joe Banks: [shaking the Chief's hand] Thank you, Chief.
Patricia: Thank you, Chief.
Waponi Chief: I'm going now.
more
Movie Connections:
References My Fair Lady (1964) more
Soundtrack:
Come Go With Me more

FAQ

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54 out of 63 people found the following comment useful.
A misunderstood film explained, 3 August 2004
10/10
Author: C S from Suffolk, England

Most people didn't "get" this film. But each of us has a different sense of humour and depth. JVTV is a subtle, witty film with morals, not like the bash 'em and blow 'em up Hollywood films of late. Meg Ryan shows her versatility as three separate, wonderfully funny characters and Tom Hanks (think of his character in The Money Pit but amusingly depressed) as Joe Banks trapped in a dead end job and is told he has a terminal illness. He is offered the chance to "live like a king, die like a man" by jumping into a volcano as part of a business deal where Joe gets to spend as much money as he likes before the big deed. Along the way Joe meets many characters who awaken him to the fact that life is worth living. This film is loaded with wonderful observations, a great score and songs, and standout performances. JVTV is one of those rare films you can easily watch again and again, and always makes me smile every time I see it.

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more (175 total)

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