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Joe Bell

Joe Bell

Drama · 2020

The true story of a small town, working class father who embarks on a solo walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his son is tormented in high school for being gay.

Movie details

Joe Bell

“Redemption is a journey you can't take alone.”

2020 Drama 1h 33m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.5 / 10

Community rating

The true story of a small town, working class father who embarks on a solo walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his son is tormented in high school for being gay.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Joe Bell?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Reinaldo Marcus Green

Written by

Larry McMurtry · Diana Ossana

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg

Joe Bell

Reid Miller

Reid Miller

Jadin Bell

Connie Britton

Connie Britton

Lola Bell

Maxwell Jenkins

Maxwell Jenkins

Joseph Bell

Morgan Lily

Morgan Lily

Marcie

Gary Sinise

Gary Sinise

Sheriff Westin

Tara Buck

Tara Buck

Mary Ivy

Court is in session

Put Joe Bell on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Sincerity is not manipulation.”

The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“The strings are showing.”

Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.