Watch Joe Bell

Joe Bell is a heart-wrenching drama film that tells the story of a father and son, with powerful performances by Mark Wahlberg and Reid Miller. It's a story about self-discovery, love, and the consequences of hate, based on a true story. The film opens with a distraught Joe Bell, played by Mark Wahlberg, embarking on a cross-country walk to raise awareness on bullying after his son Jadin, played by Reid Miller, was tormented at school and took his own life.

Joe's journey is deep, introspective and emotionally demanding as he interacts with people on his way, mostly underserved communities, seeking to bring attention to the harm that bullying can cause. Joe's desire is to meet with Jadin's high school classmates and share his story, hoping to inspire them to be kinder and more inclusive, but he meets resistance everywhere he goes. Joe also struggles with his own past as he comes to accept the fact that he might have neglected his son's struggle and failed him.

Reid Miller is a breakout star of Joe Bell, portraying Jadin with authenticity and depth. Jadin is an openly gay teenager in a small conservative town whose love for his father and resilience is remarkable. The film explores the difficult journey of acceptance that LGBTQ+ youth face in a society that still discriminates against them. Joe Bell does an exceptional job of portraying how bullying and hate can destroy people's lives, even those who are loved and supported.

Connie Britton plays Lola, Joe's wife and Jadin's mother, who is left at home to cope with the aftermath of Jadin's suicide. Lola is as much a victim of Jadin's death as Joe, and the film shows how their grief affects their relationship. Their grief sends the message that parents can play a vital role in preventing bullying by supportive and accepting their children and actively combating bullying.

The cinematography in Joe Bell is breathtaking, capturing the stunning landscapes that Joe crosses. The filming switches between stunning natural landscapes and heartfelt family moments. The cinematography also conveys the harsh reality of the dangers that Joe is exposed to on his journey, including prejudice, indifference, and intolerance. As much as his journey shows kindness and support from strangers, it also highlights the negative side of humanity.

Overall, Joe Bell is a powerful and moving film that shows the tragic impact of bullying and intolerance on young people. The film has a powerful anti-bullying message that shows the importance of speaking out against intolerance, not only as a way of combating bullying but also as a way of creating an inclusive society. The film is a testament to the power of forgiveness and love and how they can overcome hate and intolerance. It's a must-watch movie for anyone seeking to learn about the dangers of bullying and its devastating effects on young people.

Joe Bell is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 54.