How sad is this?

Admirable film.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I did not like the movie because that Val Kilmer is that terrible to Noah Fliss. He should wind up in prison for the terrible things he had done to him. Also I did not like the way Camryn Manheim spanked that kid in the classroom. If she did that for real, she will wind up in a woman's prison and not have her teacher job anymore. Spanking in schools is very wrong and against the law which is why I am against the movie and refuse to see this anyhow. This shows proof that Noah Fliss should notify the Children's Aid Society and his psychiatrist over this matter and they would take further actions on them for what wrongful incidents Val Kilmer and Camryn Manheim did.

Joe the King is one of the finest movies out there with all the elements to make it so. The acting is superb from every cast member, the writing, the cinematography and the pace are all excellent examples of the best of story telling. If you judge a movie by the story it sets out to tell, and the acting and writing to tell it, Joe the King rates a 10 out of 10, no question.I say this admitting that I picked up this movie thinking it would likely be one that I would watch for a few minutes and then shut off. You cannot do this with this movie - it draws you in from the first moments and carries you right through to the end.This is one of those movies that completely satisfies the viewer because every single actor in the movie, small part or large, does a truly excellent and noteworthy job bringing their characters to life. Noah Fleiss, Rob Bergenstock among many other young actors all give performances equal to those of far older, more seasoned actors, and for me, the viewer, that made this story come to life.Karen Young and Val Kilmer also give excellent performances. I have heard others criticize Kilmer's performance as the only 'weakness' in the movie, but in my view this likely Kilmer's best performance of any in his career. Anyone who has grown up with alcoholic and/or abusive influences in their lives will appreciate Kilmer's subtleties presenting his character. He is not only believable, but does an excellent job of bringing his character to real-life.This movie packs the impact and trials of youth as well as any more well-known movie such as "Stand by me". More, we are drawn in each character, large part or small, as "real".I highly recommend Joe the King - both as a great movie, and an excellent example of the work it takes to make a great movie where all parts; writing, acting, filming and more all come together to tell a story that grabs you from the beginning, and does not let you go until the credits are rolling.

This movie highlights the horrible effects a dysfunctional family life has on a child. Can we really blame juvenile delinquents for their actions? Or are they the product of their environment? Noah Fleiss did a sensitive portrayal of a boy trapped in impossible circumstances. Yet, remarkably so, he was a strong boy, able to withstand the stabs from his father and non-supportive mother, ultimately landing in very serious trouble for trying to do good.

Joe the King is a coming of age story based loosely on writer-director Frank Whaley's life that looks like a Dickens story updated. Joe is ashamed of his drunken no-account father who's the janitor of the school Joe attends, a fact that his classmates and even a teacher delight in forcing Joe to admit. Joe has to wash dishes to help meet expenses but also to scrounge food to eat. One night his father in a drunken rage beats Joe's mother and smashes her treasured collection of vintage LPs. To replace it, Joe breaks into the restaurant and steals money but is found out and there is a freeze frame ending that recalls Truffaut's French classic, The 400 Blows. Noah Fleiss at 14 is a veteran and does an excellent job of bringing to life the doomed but plucky Joe while Val Kilmer portrays an insensitive slob who realizes only at the end that his son loves him despite everything. Although the theme is a downer there are flashes of comedy (the brash Joe is out of his depth when an older girl puts the make on him). The performances are fine and the movie is well worth seeing.