Joe's Palace (2007)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

Absolutely Brilliant!

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Joe takes on an unusual job, looking after an unused house for wealthy millionaire Elliot Graham,who curiously lives across the road. Without any residents Joe resides in his palace, which boasts masses to explore. Elliot could be described as the idol rich, Joe is from a humble background. As time goes on Joe hosts MP Richard Reece, and his mistress Charlotte.I'll admit to being a Poliakoff addict, his writing and artistry for telling a story is spellbinding. Every piece of work he's done has captivated me, it's a toss of a coin between Joe's Palace and Perfect Strangers which I'd give top billing.There's a wealth of talent, Kelly Reilly, Michael Gambon and Rupert Penry Jones are all wonderful, but it was the relatively unknown talent of Danny Lee Wynter that blew me away, one of the best acting performances I think I've seen. Why is he not better known?A wonderful scene featuring the Antiques Roadshow team, the pieces are beautiful, I love the way that segment plays out.I don't quite know how to put into words just how much I enjoyed this, it's moving, funny and somehow addictive. Only Poliakoff can tell a story like this. I miss this style of 90 minute drama.Not often do you feel like you're watching a film through the eyes of a character, with Joe you do. A fabulous character study 10/10

I agree with the first review here- I didn't want the film to end. All of the characters seem very realistic to me; the plot feels real; the performances are very focused and sincerely done, especially that of Michael Gambon, who really shines but is sly and subtle in this performance; the writing is very mature and paced very well. I didn't read any hints or reviews in advance so the turn in the plot near the end truly shocked and saddened me. I chose to view it because Janet Suzman recommended the author's work to me. Overall, I found the writing and the entire production to be very powerful. It haunted me for quite some time. Thank you, Ms. Suzman, for your advice, and makers of this work for a finely made film! (It's still available on HBOGO.)

I've seen the movie twice, some years back, and just recently 3/24/2016. Joe's ENTIRE character was not my favorite. I never liked the way he was so aloof about life. Very "meh," kind of depressed, had no friends, but then again...he kind of reminds you of the character Mr. Graham in that they are both so very alone, and socially awkward. Joe's character: He seems to not have much going for him, no friends, socially outcast, but when he gets his new job he seems to become more naive to the fact that he is all alone in a great big house.There is something about the mansion that captures you, even simply watching them go from priceless room to room you can see how easily this mansion can fill you with wonderment. Later you start to see a trend that everyone who comes in that house soon becomes changed.I think if you are just watching the film and not really vested into the background, and the characters, then you might easily not get the movie.

It's always a bit of a surprise to visit here after I've seen a wonderful movie. There are intelligent people that see it through eyes that are as valid as mine, yet they saw nothing as I did.I think it would be wise not to take too much from any of the reviews that you see here. If you are one of the lucky ones that see the film as I did, you will be rewarded by an experience that's as full as "Howard's End". If not, you'll likely know within the first 15 minutes and you can do something else.I thought the acting was as good as anything I've seen in the past couple of years. It wasn't just Gambon, it was pretty much across the board. Wynter was unbelievably good. Kelly Reilly was perfect.If you haven't read the spoilers yet, don't. This movie is subtle. Give it a try.