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These days, everyone seems to be looking for that one sure-fire product that can make us all happy—but those products rarely work as advertised. And in the eerie sci-fi drama Little Joe, one scientist’s quest for happiness in plant form has unexpected side effects.
Little Joe stars Emily Beecham as Alice Woodard, a plant breeder who’s managed to breed a flower that—when properly cared for—will make its owners feel happy. While the flower undergoes tests at the greenhouse, Alice breaks the rules and brings one home to keep her son, Joe (Kit Connor), company. They name this miracle plant “Little Joe.” But as Alice’s colleagues continue to care for the plant and study it, some begin to question Alice’s somewhat controversial techniques—and one insists that the plant does more harm than good.
As Alice and her colleagues continue their work with Little Joe, it’s the small differences and little changes that will give audiences that eerie, nagging feeling that something’s not quite right. And that’s the tone of the entire film: it’s all just a little…off. Little Joe is a film about subtleties and psychology—of hints and suspicions and feelings. The characters don’t really go through big, noticeable changes. In the beginning, they’re all quiet and somewhat flat; later, they’re quiet and somewhat flat but in a subtly different, somewhat creepier way. And the small changes that they do exhibit don’t always make sense. But that’s all just a part of the film’s subtle tension and intrigue.
What isn’t subtle here, however, is the design. Little Joe is a visually fascinating film, with a striking use of color and style that brings interest even when the scenes feel slow and dry. And, unfortunately, there are more than a few of those scenes. The story may be built on an interesting concept, but it’s slow and quiet and sometimes a little dull, the messages too understated. And though it all may look interesting, it simply relies too much on its colors and unique style to keep audiences engaged.
Little Joe does have a lot going on underneath the surface—but, in order to appreciate it, audiences will need to be interested enough to dig a little deeper. Unfortunately, though, it all feels a little flat—and the quietness and subtle eeriness of the story might not be enough.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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