Stometer
Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Limerculer
A waste of 90 minutes of my life
Guillelmina
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
hoyayer
In "Joe's Palace", the power of Joe's actual palace appears to be supreme and irresistible.Entire lives have been defined for generations according to the social parameters, class distinctions, and boundaries exemplified by this magnificent home. The individual's inability to comprehend the extent to which this mansion exerts its power is the gist of the story.The house can be seen as a surrogate for religion or the monarchy, or the most worshipful possible love for England and its history. The building has a force of personality that cannot be resisted, and everyone whose path crosses it understands perfectly -- even Joe. Ultimately, the house is a monster that seizes control of those who enter. It rips them from themselves and then leaves them diminished or humiliated. Joe fares best, apparently because he sees the hold that the house exerts on people, but himself does not experience it.
Paul Evans
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
Mats
Trademark Poliakoff story that pulls you in; mystery in a languid way. I love several of his earlier BBC dramas. However, after spending 100 minutes watching this film, I must cleanse myself by writing. The author's writing is a bit unfocused and the characters are not very believable, but that is all forgivable. However, when the author wants to tie his yarn together he does not know how. So he uses a tried and tested way; he brings in the Nazis. The archetypal evil can be trusted to do anything strange so that the yarn can be tied up. So utterly pathetic and conventional. And he returns some objects to some Jewish survivor that happens to live in the US (read: HBO Films funded the film). What I hate is how utterly conventional the film becomes in the end. All the mystery in the first 80 minutes evaporates into some politically correct trivial resolution.
bcs4
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.
