A sad but hopeful drama
Bullying is a problem that affects everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation. It’s important to remember that bullying is not just a problem for LGBTQ young people, it’s a problem for anyone who has been bullied in the past. If you or someone you know is being bullied, please reach out to the school or community service organization that can help.
Sadly, in our society homophobia is still rampant. Parents refuse to accept their children’s sexuality, schools fail to take seriously the bullying that takes place, and groups of narrow-minded individuals try to use conversion therapy to “turn” gay people straight. Thankfully, there is greater tolerance and understanding from some but life still isn’t easy for those who profess to be gay or transgender. ..
Joe Bell is a film that will touch your heart if you have ever been affected by homophobia or the suicide of somebody close to you. It tells the story of Joe, the grieving father of Jadin, who decided to walk across the United States to spread awareness about teen bullying to any school or community group that would give him the platform to share his experiences. ..
Joe and Jadin’s story is inspiring, as they take action to save others from a tragedy. I had never heard of Joe or Jadin before watching this film, but after viewing it, I am glad I was able to experience their story.
Joe is a complex and interesting character, one that is not easily likeable at first glance. However, it is clear that he loves Jadin and does not care about his son’s sexuality. Joe is a good man who cares about others, even if he doesn’t always have the best of intentions.
Joe’s journey to New York is a personal one, and as he makes his way the city comes alive with the imagined persona of Jadin. Jadin’s presence in the film is a reflection of Joe’s own experiences on his travels, but it also provides us with an insight into the struggles Joe sometimes had to convey his message effectively.
As he progresses further, he manages to gain courage in the things he needs to say and this is highlighted by the imagined Jadin smiling in recognition at his father’s efforts to be more open about himself and the experiences his son went through.
The film is strong in its performances, with Wahlberg and Miller both excelling as Joe and Jadin, respectively. The story is well-told and the film’s emotional impact is clear.
Joe’s journey is a personal one, as he travels the world in search of his son Jadin. While the film sometimes focuses on other members of the family and the people that Joe encounters during his travels, it always brings us back into the father-son relationship, be it through flashbacks to the time before Jadin’s death or the roadside conversations that Joe has with his dead son on his journey.
The film, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, avoids sentimentality and audience manipulation. It manages to evoke tears by telling the story of Jadin and Joe without a lot of emotional melodrama, but it sometimes skips over scenes that could have made the film more powerful. ..
We never get to see Joe’s reaction to the news that his son has died, and we rarely get to hear a lot of Joe’s testimony when he is sharing his experiences with others. It seems as if the director and screenwriters have purposefully avoided certain moments in order to avoid tugging too heavily on our heartstrings, perhaps in order to avoid criticism from hardened movie reviewers. ..
This film is largely unemotional, opting instead to focus on the aftermath of Jadin’s death and the effect it had on those around him. This is likely due to the director wanting to explore more deeply the emotional fallout of this tragedy rather than simply focusing on the heartbreak of its participants.
Joe’s observation is that despite the film’s attempt to be sensitive, it still manages to convey its message without overplaying the emotional card.
This film is important for those who are struggling with their sexuality or gender identity. It encourages them to speak up about their experiences and to feel safe doing so. If we can all be more open and loving towards one another, there will be far fewer teen suicides this or any other year.
I recommend the film then, even if it isn’t the emotional powerhouse that it could have been. The story of Jadin Bell is one that deserves to be told, and the stories of young people who share/have shared his experiences are also worth seeing. It’s a sad film to be sure, and there are shocks in store outside of Jadin’s death. But it’s also a hopeful film in that it recognises the efforts of Joe and people like him to spread awareness about a very real issue that is still affecting many young people today. Watch it, be moved, and then do something rather than nothing to care for the people in your life who may be hurting right now. ..
Joe Bell, the man who was recently sentenced to life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, has an interesting story to tell.
