Depression is reportedly at an all-time high during the time of Coronavirus. Unemployment, seclusion, and death have triggered this depression across the world, and, regardless of the reason, the topics of depression and suicide have made their way to the forefront of our American reality. As these topics become more and more prominent in American culture people are becoming more sensitive and understanding to the difficulties that the world is facing. This means something important for Mark Battle’s Here Lies Joe: using comedy to discuss depression and suicide will be a tall task--but it may be just what the world needs in order to fully understand the tragedy that we face each and every day.
Joe (Dean Temple) is feeling suicidal, and, as a result, joins a suicide support group. While attending one of these meetings Joe meets Z (Andi Morrow), a troubled young lady who has the ability to make light of just about everything. As the two struggle with their depression and thoughts of suicide they become closer than ever expected, but life is still harrowing and difficult. As the two get to better know one another their outlooks on life will begin to change. Will their newfound friendship be enough to save their lives, or will Here Lies Joe end in disaster?
Again, the world in which we live is full of depression and suicide, making those topics touchy and difficult to address. For the majority of the first and seconds acts of Here Lies Joe--mainly by way of Z--depression and suicide are talked about in a comedic light. While the approach is funny, it was equally cringeworthy at times, and I wondered if writers Battle and Pamela Conway had gone too far. Well, they hadn’t. As viewers come to realize that the topic at hand will be handled comedically, the tone shifts to something far more serious and those viewers are taken on a monumentally emotional journey that will change their appreciation for the struggles that many around them face. This transition is what I focused on most throughout the course of Here Lies Joe, as the significant change that occurs toward the end of the second act of the film is incredibly representative of the real world, and I was immediately drawn to both Joe and Z as the film begins to conclude. I felt emotionally attached to all that they said and did, as well as the relationship that was forged between the two. As the reality and severity of each of their situations comes to light, it’s impossible not to become emotionally drawn to them and appreciate each and every aspect of their characters.
Much of that appreciation comes as a result of Temple and Morrow’s acting abilities. Both actors are brilliant, and their ability to feed off of one another as Here Lies Joe plays out is truly remarkable. They play their roles nearly perfectly, and viewers are able not only to appreciate those characters, but understand them and create connections with them. Through the comedy and the depression, both Morrow and Temple shine incredibly bright, and create a world that not only mirrors ours, but makes it more understandable.
The color of Here Lies Joe plays a pivotal role in viewers appreciating what Battle has to say about depression, suicide, and each of the characters. With a subtle hint of orange and yellow present throughout the course of the film, viewers can’t help but to feel senses of warmth, insecurity, friendship, and madness (among others) as Joe and Z’s story plays out. This simple adjustment to the aesthetic of the film is incredible and game changing. Battle’s ability to so deeply understand color and use it to heighten his film is remarkable, and one of the primary reasons that Here Lies Joe is so emotionally drawing.
Even in the most cringey moments of Here Lies Joe it’s impossible not to appreciate the sentiment, acting, and prowess of everyone involved. Temple is wonderful, but Morrow steals the show, as her ability to exude confidence and deep emotion throughout the course of the film measure up to some of Hollywood’s greats. She’s attractive, energetic, and impeccably relatable; not a moment passes that viewers struggle to connect with her. Morrow’s abilities, coupled with the brilliance of the rest of Here Lies Joe’s production helps to create a film so brilliantly uncomfortable, but equally relieving, that it seems impossible it doesn’t, given the right vehicle, find immense success.
Directed by Mark Battle.
Written by Mark Battle & Pamela Conway.
Starring Dean Temple, Andi Morrow, Timothy J. Cox, Mary Hronicek, JP Valenti, & Kristie Stumpf Rork.
Click here to view Here Lies Joe and other films by Sweven Films.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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