This movie shows why Nicolas Cage is a great actor. His performance as the titular character is stunning as is the performance of young actor Tye Sheridan. Joe is a story of a ex-convict (due to ill fortune) who unintentionally becomes a mentor and a friend for a 15-year old boy who is having his own personal issues with his drunk and abusive father. The movie reminds of the movie Mud that I saw a few months back with similar story and almost equally powerful performances. The actor playing the drunken father was a real life homeless man and played his role amazingly well. The movie is dedicated to him (as seen in the credits) as he died just after the movie was shot. Director David Green does a good job with his shots showing the life of some rural areas of America. This was a return to form for him after his last major film was released in 2008 which was the Pineapple Express. Joe is a low budget movie but is very rich in story and acting.Overall Rating: Thumbs Up.