Joe's Sort of Suicidal Journey

Joe's Sort of Suicidal Journey

Bruce Von Stiers

A guy is sealing the front passenger window of his car. He attaches a drain hose to the exhaust pipe of the car. The other end of the hose is inside the car. The guy starts the car. He is going to kill himself by carbon monoxide poisoning from the car exhaust.

That is the beginning of the short comedy drama film, Here Lies Joe. It is a film about someone who is at the end of his rope and can't seem to find a way forward. Hence the suicide attempt.

The film unfolds at a Suicide Anonymous meeting. There is Bill, a suicide addict and that meeting's host. There are also a couple of other people there. And then, in walks Z. She is a young woman who seems to be unaffected by things. In fact, she seems to not be depressed or suicidal at all. Why is she there? It appears that Joe is new to the group and doesn't know any of the other people at the meeting.

The group lost a member to suicide recently. And Bill asks if anyone wants to share. Carol tells Joe about her suicidal thoughts and attempts over the years. Then Z reads the latest version of her suicide note. It actually comes across as a poem rather than a suicide note. Bill isn't amused. And neither is Carol. Joe comes to Z's defense. He liked it, he thought it was a good poem.

This starts a chain of events in which Z sucks Joe into some interesting, a short lived adventure. Z hitches a ride with Joe, only to have him go to a cemetery. There things get really interesting, if not a little strange. Joe climbs a tree to retrieve his car keys from Z. Is there a possible romantic element about to unfold? Probably not, but the endless romantic that I am, sincerely hoped so.

What happens later defines the film. Joe finds the strength to reach out and move on from the depression that leads him to attempt suicide. And he's made a new friend.

Dean Temple played Joe. In his film roles, he's played as an army general, a convict and a detective. Andi Morrow played Z. She's starred in several short films, including Communin' With The Void, Duplicitous and The Pumpkin Queen.

Timothy J. Cox played Bill. He has over a hundred fifty screen credits including a few films that I've reviewed such as Static Cling, After, Creatures of Habit and To Be Alone. Mary Hronicek played Carol. She has been in many short films such as The Melting Hymn and The Sins of Salem. JP Valenti played a Suicide Anonymous member as did Kristie Stumpf Rork. Valenti has appeared in films such as Acrylic and Fair Haven. Rork appeared in Annulment and Ghost Walks.

The director of the film was Mark Battle. He was also the editor, production designer, art director and cinematographer. And he co-wrote the screenplay and was co-producer. His previous films include Quiet and Old Man 2. Pamela Conway was also a producer on the film and co-wrote the screenplay.

The songs in the film were Island, written by Casey Sullvan and performed by Air Traffic Controller, Heartbreak Cold, written and performed by Casey Sullivan.

Here Lies Joe is a poignant tale. Joe is the embodiment of someone who doesn't have the will to live anymore. That is, until a young woman comes into his life. But will the carefree nature of Z be enough to save Joe from himself?

The acting in the film is very good. Cox and Hronicek do well in their roles, showing Carol as kind of weird and Bill being a bit too bullish.

Temple provided a great performance as the sad and depressed Joe, who might just have a spark of life left in him. And Morrow was excellent in her laid back, eccentric portrayal of Z. And she showed a killer, mischievous smile on several occasions, which lent authenticity to the character.

Here Lies Joe can be viewed here: https://www.swevenfi lms.com/here-lies-joe

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