Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- hopeful
- lazy sunday
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film pleasant and intermittently witty, with strong performances and pathos weakened by a bland, conventional uplift narrative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joe moves from humiliation and depression toward self-confidence with Chuck's martial-arts training and the prospect of a rematch.
Joe's bruising humiliation leads to depression, while the film balances that material with office humor and an underdog comeback.
Joe is embarrassed in front of his daughter and coworkers, then gains popularity as rumors of a rematch spread through the office.
Former B-movie star and martial-arts instructor Chuck trains Joe for the anticipated confrontation with Mark.
Films like Joe Somebody, and why
The Secret of My Success
shared underdog workplace comedy, family themes, and uplifting self-reinvention
The Santa Clause
shared physical comedy, ordinary-man empowerment, and warm father-child dynamics
Mr. Deeds
shared workplace rivalry, self-discovery, and conventional feel-good comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- John Pasquin
- Release Date
- 2001-12-21
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (229)
Cast
- Tim Allen
- Julie Bowen
- Kelly Lynch
- Greg Germann
- Hayden Panettiere
- Patrick Warburton
- Jim Belushi
- Ken Marino
- Wolfgang Bodison
- Cristi Conaway
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Joe Somebody about?
- A humiliated office worker trains with a martial-arts mentor to reclaim his confidence, dignity, and place in his daughter’s eyes.
- What is Joe Somebody like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Joe Somebody as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Joe Somebody violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Joe Somebody as mild.
- What did critics think of Joe Somebody?
- Critics generally found the film pleasant and intermittently witty, with strong performances and pathos weakened by a bland, conventional uplift narrative.
- Which films are like Joe Somebody?
- Films with a similar feel include The Secret of My Success, The Santa Clause, and Mr. Deeds.
- How long is Joe Somebody?
- Joe Somebody runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Joe Somebody?
- In United States, Joe Somebody streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
