MovieChat Forums > Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Discussion > A true masterpiece, but for one horrible...

A true masterpiece, but for one horrible flaw: the orange-soda natives

posted 8 years ago by Treuburg
8 replies | jump to latest

I'm astounded by the low rating that this film has. I'd expect it to rate much higher. I'm even more astounded to find that some people hate the film.

To me, it is an absolute masterpiece -- the look of it, the writing, the themes, everything.

I love all three Meg Ryans.

There is only one flaw -- only one, but it's a serious one: the orange-soda natives.

They make no sense, and are excruciatingly unfunny. They don't fit as thematic elements, and they're simply not funny enough (indeed, not funny at all) to work as regular comedy.

And yet they occupy so much of the ending of the film, and that's what leaves the biggest impression on most moviegoers: the ending.

If I were to gauge the orange-soda-native ending alone, I'd rate this film a 2/10. But the rest, up to and including blonde Meg Ryan (who is wonderful, not at all a disappointment, as some contend), is a 10/10.

So maybe that's where the low IMDb rating comes from: the people who can get past the idiotic last reel of the film and enjoy the rest of it for the masterpiece it is, VS. those whose impression of the idiotic orange-soda natives makes them thing that the film as a whole is dumb, because that one, big element near the end is so dumb.

[–] stuewerd 8 years ago

My take on the Waponis: they're us. Or at least all those who are asleep (like Patricia's father told her), or those who've been bought (for 300 dollars a week, like Joe, or for a yacht, like Patricia.)

Consider the chief's quote about how his people love the orange soda, and none of them will sacrifice themselves for the good of the others...that's us! We're all wrapped up in ourselves, and indulging and entertaining and medicating ourselves, so we have nothing left for those around us. The orange soda represents selfishness.

I'm glad Shanley included Waponi Woo.

[–] Treuburg 8 years ago

That's fine in theory, but the execution is movie-ruiningly awful.

In short, if he'd wanted to make that point, he should have found a more successful method of delivery (at the very least, a different depiction of selfishness in the natives). As it is, the orange-soda nonsense just turns the finale into unfunny camp and sabotages the ending irreparably.

If it hadn't been for that ending, the movie would have been far better reviewed and remembered, because the rest of it is very strong.

[–] stuewerd 8 years ago

I'm not saying the depiction of the Waponis is perfect. The clip of the gong-bangers leaves me cold - it seems like it was lifted from some other movie I remember seeing.

"Movie-ruiningly" and "irreparably" are further than I'd go, though. The terms "fable," "fairy tale," "whimsical," and "surreal" abound on the JVTV discussion board. In light of that, and 'fairy tale' is definitely what Shanley was going for here, I'm still going to stand up for his choice to have the Waponis love their orange soda. It's absurdist, but I feel it works for this movie.

And you don't, which is what discussion is all about. Thanks for the chance to talk about my favorite movie!

[–] ATG6 (3000) 2 years ago

They were just showing the influence of modern culture on formerly primitive societies. No one wants to sacrifice for the common good, they just want to enjoy their orange soda (or other modern distraction/convenience.)

[–] IndustrialGas 8 years ago

I can't at all imagine what inspired that ending but all I can really say are repeats of what you've already said. The ending is the biggest flaw and is extremely campy. A shame is was terribly executed.

[–] TheOldGuyFromHalloween3 8 years ago

It's not a realistic movie. it's a fantasy

[–] TandyMan (10335) 4 years ago

Just wrapped my rewatch. This is a good movie, a good deal more clever than my younger self ever took note of. But the ending is still horrible. This is a very dry comedic film. Everything is played straight for the most part. But then it goes right off the rails once the natives show up. Every thing is slapstick, vaudeville, over the top. It was certainly intended, I think. So as to be the exact opposite of the opening of the film. But that's the aftertaste you're left with after. And specifically why I remembered the movie so poorly all these years later. It doesn't bother me now and I must say at least it all gets over with rather quickly.

[–] SlackerInc (1064) 3 years ago

The last reel is cringe-inducingly awful, but none of the movie is really all that good after he quits his job. Everything at that medical instruments office is absolute gold though. “I’m not arguing with you! I know he can get the job, but can he do the job?” Brilliant, and the set design supports it so well—which is strange, because the sets at the end are pretty lame.