When Joe Banks, a hypochondriac stuck in a soul-sucking office job, is told that he has a terminal condition dubbed a “brain cloud,” he decides to quit and live out his remaining days on his own terms. Soon after, he receives an outrageous yet oddly liberating proposition: to sacrifice himself by leaping into a volcano to appease a Pacific island tribe, thus facilitating a wealthy tycoon’s business interests.
Although it’s a preposterous premise, writer-director John Patrick Shanley fully embraces the absurdity, creating something both surreal and sincere. I remember watching Joe Versus the Volcano long ago – so long ago that all I could recall was that it involved a volcano and that Meg Ryan played three different characters.
Speaking of Meg Ryan, her performances as three distinct women are among the movie’s highlights. DeDe, Joe’s sniffling co-worker, is in awe of Joe’s courage when he quits his job. Angelica, a flighty socialite, is responsible for bringing Joe out to her father’s yacht, while Patricia, Angelica’s half-sister, is charged with taking Joe to Waponi Woo, where he is to jump into the volcano. Each of her performances is compelling in its own right, beautifully showcasing Meg’s comedic talent.
Ultimately, it is Patricia who captures Joe’s heart during their ill-fated journey to Waponi Woo. She is cynical and determined, yet vulnerable enough to connect with Joe about their respective life paths. While many people likely think of Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail when they consider Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, it’s Joe Versus the Volcano that introduced us to their sparkling chemistry and initiated the Tom and Meg rom-com trilogy.
Part of what makes the film so great for me is that, with Meg portraying three different women, any of them could have ended up with Joe. I was particularly fond of Patricia and Joe together, but I also found Angelica to be a compelling character. Her brief scenes with Joe before their separation were enjoyable as well. But, alas.
The use of color in Joe Versus the Volcano is also interesting. Once we leave behind the dreary, gray-toned offices and harsh fluorescent lighting, we’re embraced by more vivid colors, symbolizing Joe’s transformation from a depressed hypochondriac to a man who embraces life and love. The colors of the island, in particular, are brightly saturated. I found it very telling that Joe felt as though he was dying while working in a dystopian-like office, and yet, he was still preparing to die when surrounded by so much beauty and lush plant life!
One shot that truly stuck with me was when Joe, delirious from being out at sea for too long, watches the moon rise and discovers new meaning in being alive. It’s a beautiful image, as Joe lifts his arms, almost as if he were raising the moon into the sky while worshiping everything it represents.
Joe Versus the Volcano is whimsical and witty, filled with illogical rules that both the characters and audience simply accept. It embraces an unapologetically optimistic view of discovering meaning in life, reminding us that sometimes all you need to do to find purpose is to take a leap of faith.
Watched: 03/15/2025
Notable Song: Blue Moon by Elvis Presley
