Joe Somebody (2001)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

John Pasquin

Writer (WGA):

John Scott Shepherd (written by)

Release Date:

21 December 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

A Comedy About Somebody Everybody Can Believe In.

Plot:

When Joe is beat up by a co-worker in front of his daughter on "Bring Your Child To Work Day", he decides to fight back.

Plot Keywords:

Bully | Martial Arts | Office | Corporate | Makeover

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Tim Allen	...	Joe Scheffer
Julie Bowen	...	Meg Harper
Kelly Lynch	...	Callie Scheffer
Greg Germann	...	Jeremy
Hayden Panettiere	...	Natalie Scheffer
Patrick Warburton	...	Mark McKinney
James Belushi	...	Chuck Scarett (as Jim Belushi)
Ken Marino	...	Rick Raglow
Wolfgang Bodison	...	Cade Raymond
Cristi Conaway	...	Abby Manheim
Robert Joy	...	Pat Chilcutt
Tina Lifford	...	Cassandra Taylor
James Cada	...	Exec. Bill
Tawnja Zahradka	...	Waver 'Tawnja'
Ahna Brandvik	...	Neva

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, thematic elements and some mild violence.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #38706) | Canada:PG | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Conner's Deli - 5411 Penn Avenue S., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Company:

Fox 2000 Pictures

Trivia:

The scenes of Tim Allen racing a shopping cart were shot at the Target Store in Minnesota.

Goofs:

Continuity: As Joe has his lunch in the company cafeteria, he sips from a cup of Pepsi. The cup changes from large to small (large when Joe drinks, small when it's on the table beside him).

Quotes:

Joe: Your become a farmer?
Rick: No, Joe, I'm an actor dressed as a farmer...for an audition.
Joe: Sorry.

Movie Connections:

References Wo hu cang long (2000)

Soundtrack:

Larger Than Life

So-So

"Joe Somebody" is a movie nearly as unassuming as it's protagonist. The premise was certainly ripe for a feel-good family comedy...perhaps a more grown-up version of "My Bodyguard?" But the script by John Scott Sheppard is rather dull and unimaginative. Thinly written, with no memorable dialogue at all and totally predictable, the film squeaks by on a few scattered laughs and a little bit of charm. Director John Pasquin can't seem to do much to juice up the overly familiar story or give it any momentum. The whole thing is frustrating as it plods along and ultimately fails to build to any satisfying climax. You'll feel pretty much short-changed at the end. And Tim Allen seems out of place playing a shy, insecure schlub. As he's shown in the past, on TV's "Home Improvements" and in other films such as "The Santa Clause" and the (much superior) "Galaxy Quest," he's much better as the snarky, smart-alecky, slightly foolhardy macho man that's closer to the persona he exudes in his stand-up routine. The movie's real comic secret weapon is Jim Belushi, who appears to be the only cast member to make the most of the situation and milk maximum laughs out of the bland and blah script. Despite my carpings, this movie is not exactly terrible, and it's certainly fit for family viewing, but it IS disappointing and mostly forgettable. It looks and plays like a standard TV movie and might play better there. I don't imagine many repeat viewings, however. My rating: ** stars