Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
- Director(s):
- John Patrick Shanley
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of Joe Versus the Volcano
Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Patrick Shanley's first foray into the director's chair is a quirky romantic fantasy, featuring Bo Welch's signature production design. Tom Hanks plays Joe Banks, a man who hates his job, thinks the overhead fluorescent lights are making him sick, and quakes at the presence of his boorish boss Frank Watori (Dan Hedaya). He is attracted to the office secretary DeDe (Meg Ryan) but is afraid to speak to her. Then his life changes when he visits Dr. Ellison (Robert Stack). Dr. Ellison tells Joe that he has something called "a brain cloud" that is rapidly spreading throughout his brain. He will feel great, but he'll be dead within five months. Instead of being depressed at this bleak prognosis, Joe suddenly feels free. He quits his job, asks DeDe out, and is contacted by a rich millionaire named Graynamore (Lloyd Bridges). Graynamore owns an island named Waponi Woo, whose natives need to be placated. The natives require a sacrifice to their island volcano, the Big Woo, so that the island won't sink beneath the Pacific. Graynamore offers unlimited wealth to Tom in exchange for Tom's becoming the object of human sacrifice. Joe has nothing to lose, so he accepts the offer. As he heads out to the island, Joe meets Graynamore's daughters -- Angelica, a Los Angeles socialite, and Patricia, Angelica's blonde half-sister (both roles played by Ryan). Joe arrives at the island, and as he stands at the lips of the Big Woo he has to decide whether he really wants to leap into the maw of the fiery volcano. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 102 mins
Complete Cast of Joe Versus the Volcano
- Tom Hanks - Joe Banks
- Meg Ryan - Patricia
- Lloyd Bridges - Samuel Harvey Graynamore
- Abe Vigoda - Chief of the Waponis
- Ossie Davis - Marshall the Chauffeur
- Amanda Plummer - Dagmar
- Jayne Haynes - Nurse
- Paul Thorpe - The (Waponi) God Woo
- Marion Dougherty
- Jon Conrad Pochron
- Jennifer Stewart - Statue of Liberty
- Jim Hudson - Fred (Guard)
- Meg Ryan - Angelica
- Meg Ryan - DeDe
- Robert Stack - Dr. Ellison
- Dan Hedaya - Mr. Frank Watori
- Barry McGovern - Luggage Salesman
- Carol Kane - Hairdresser
- Lala Sloatman - Waitress
- Tony Salome - Clerk (at The Rectal Probe Company)
- David Burton - Mike
- Darrell Zwerling - Underwear Salesman
- Jim Ryan - Bellman
- Nathan Lane - Ben, the Waponi Advance Man
- Director(s):
- John Patrick Shanley
- Writer(s):
- John Patrick Shanley
- Producer(s):
- Teri Schwartz
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- PG(Suitable for Children, Adult Language, Profanity, Adult Situations)
- Categories:
- Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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