Originally titled Good Joe Bell and planned as a possible Oscar contender, the newly-titled Joe Bell opens in just over a week with a minimum amount of buzz. That’s not a knock on the inspiring drama or the performance of its star Mark Wahlberg, who gives a rare sensitive performance according to those who saw the film at TIFF last year.
Based on the true story of Joe and Jadin Bell, the film tells the bittersweet story of a father who embarks on a cross-country walk to honor his son, who committed suicide after being bullied at school for being gay. Joe has his own demons to tangle with, and as seen in this trailer he’s carrying a lot of guilt on this journey.
Wahlberg is joined in the cast by Reid Miller, Connie Britton, Gary Sinise, Maxwell Jenkins, John Murray. Behind the camera is Reinaldo Marcus Green, whose Monsters & Men was a big hit at Sundance. He’s also the filmmaker behind the upcoming Richard Williams drama, King Richard.
Joe Bell opens July 23rd.
From filmmaker Reinaldo Marcus Green (MONSTERS AND MEN; upcoming KING RICHARD), along with the Academy Award-winning writing team behind BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (Diana Ossana & Larry McMurtry) and Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg, JOE BELL tells the intimate and emotional true story of an Oregonian father who pays tribute to his gay teenage son Jadin, embarking on a self-reflective walk across America to speak his heart to heartland citizens about the real and terrifying costs of bullying.