Walkaway Joe
Alright folks, grab your cue sticks and get ready to break into the world of "Walkaway Joe," a film that's as heartwarming as it is cue-ball-crazy! I got to watch this with my billiards obsessed brother, and let me tell you, when I say obsessed I don’t mean it negatively. His obsession has led him to some incredible opportunities playing some of the best players in the country/world. This flick though was like watching "The Color of Money" if Tom Cruise was 15 and Paul Newman ran a Winnebago dealership.
First off, let's talk about the unlikely duo at the heart of this road-trip-with-a-twist. David Strathairn, playing Joe Haley, looks like he’s wondering how he went from Oscar-nominated roles to teaching a kid that stealing is wrong. And Jeffrey Dean Morgan, as Cal McCarthy, seems to be on a break from hunting supernatural creatures to losing at pool. These two bring more depth to the film than the pockets on a pool table.
Now, our young protagonist is searching for his dad, but really, it's like looking for a straight shot in a game of billiards. The boy's journey of self-discovery is interspersed with billiards, which, if you ask my brother, is the only true path to enlightenment.
Directed by Tom Wright in his debut feature, it's like he's calling his shots in a game he's never played before. Kudos for the effort! And the writing by Michael Milillo? Let's just say, it's got more spin than a trick shot at a pool hall.
Filmed in the scenic St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, the movie does score points for making me want to visit the place. But hey, let's talk about those movie 'oops' moments. Like when our young hero, Dallas, leaves without his cue stick. That's like Batman forgetting his cape! And the wind inside the Winnebago versus the calm outside? I guess Mother Nature was playing her own game of special effects.
My favorite heart-tugging line? When Dallas wonders if God goofed up pairing kids with parents, and Joe sagely responds, "He did, son. He did." Cue the tears, or maybe it’s just my allergies.
And those closing credits with Joe driving his camper? It’s like a scenic tour of ‘places you’d rather be than watching credits’. But hey, they're worth a glance!
So, there you have it, "Walkaway Joe," a feel-good, cue-slinging, road-tripping drama that makes you appreciate the game, the journey, and maybe even your weird uncle who's way too into billiards. Rack 'em up! 🎱🚐