When “Good Joe Bell” debuted at last year’s TIFF, there was buzz about the film being an Oscar contender for star Mark Wahlberg. But when after the debut, the reviews were published that showed the film wasn’t the awards contender many thought it would be, as it failed to live up to the inspiring true story it’s based on. So, the film went back to the editing room and got a new title, “Joe Bell.”
Now, with the film getting a much more modest debut in theaters this summer, “Joe Bell” has a new trailer that hopes to show the feel-good drama is worthy of your time and attention. “Joe Bell” tells the true story of a father that goes on a self-reflective walk across the country to honor his son who died by suicide after being bullied for being gay. The father, played by Mark Wahlberg, has to reckon with his own guilt for not doing more for his son and possibly helping the teen make it through that tough time.
Joining Wahlberg in the cast are Connie Britton, Reid Miller, and Gary Sinise. “Joe Bell” is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, based on a script by “Brokeback Mountain” writers, Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry. Green is probably best known for his previous film “Monsters and Men.” His next film is the highly anticipated drama, “King Richard.”
As mentioned, “Joe Bell” has gone through some changes since the film premiered at last year’s TIFF. however, at that time, in our review, we said, “A brisk film that could do with twenty more minutes, Green’s ‘Good Joe Bell’ has its heart in the right place, but the limited gaze the writers and director offer withholds this redemptive tale from being the uplifting critique of homophobia and bullying that it needs to be.”
“Joe Bell” arrives in theaters on July 23. You can watch the new trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
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.
