Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)

56% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(48,400 ratings)

Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Patrick Shanley's first foray into the director's chair is a quirky romantic fantasy, featuring Bo Welch's signature production design. Tom Hanks plays Joe Banks, a man who hates his job, thinks the overhead fluorescent lights are making him sick, and quakes… More Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Patrick Shanley's first foray into the director's chair is a quirky romantic fantasy, featuring Bo Welch's signature production design. Tom Hanks plays Joe Banks, a man who hates his job, thinks the overhead fluorescent lights are making him sick, and quakes at the presence of his boorish boss Frank Watori (Dan Hedaya). He is attracted to the office secretary DeDe (Meg Ryan) but is afraid to speak to her. Then his life changes when he visits Dr. Ellison (Robert Stack). Dr. Ellison tells Joe that he has something called "a brain cloud" that is rapidly spreading throughout his brain. He will feel great, but he'll be dead within five months. Instead of being depressed at this bleak prognosis, Joe suddenly feels free. He quits his job, asks DeDe out, and is contacted by a rich millionaire named Graynamore (Lloyd Bridges). Graynamore owns an island named Waponi Woo, whose natives need to be placated. The natives require a sacrifice to their island volcano, the Big Woo, so that the island won't sink beneath the Pacific. Graynamore offers unlimited wealth to Tom in exchange for Tom's becoming the object of human sacrifice. Joe has nothing to lose, so he accepts the offer. As he heads out to the island, Joe meets Graynamore's daughters -- Angelica, a Los Angeles socialite, and Patricia, Angelica's blonde half-sister (both roles played by Ryan). Joe arrives at the island, and as he stands at the lips of the Big Woo he has to decide whether he really wants to leap into the maw of the fiery volcano. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: John Patrick Shanley
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 9, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Apr 2, 2002
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
An overlooked gem.
Betsy Bozdech, Reel.com
This fascinating-but-flawed parable is the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan romantic comedy for people who don't like Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan romantic comedies.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A more fascinating mess you'll never find.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
The unredeemable result of Hollywood's total capitulation to the Spielberg/Lucas aesthetic of the 80s.
Fred Topel, About.com
Excellent satire!
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Somehow I can't hate this. Then again, I can't really like it, either.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Cassie H

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks prove once again that they have incredible movie chemistry. Meg Ryan plays 3 astonishingly different women, Dee dee, the shy women, who works with Joe Banks (Hanks), Angelica, the messed up woman living off of daddy's money and the independent and… More
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks prove once again that they have incredible movie chemistry. Meg Ryan plays 3 astonishingly different women, Dee dee, the shy women, who works with Joe Banks (Hanks), Angelica, the messed up woman living off of daddy's money and the independent and confidant, Patricia. Tom Hanks plays Joe, a man you fears everything in life. This is one of those movies that you'll want to watch again and again for many years to come (:
Tim S

One of the few romantic comedies I can watch.
Conner R

One of the most crazy ideas, but executed so gracefully. Tom Hanks is the most lovable guy out there and Meg Ryan the most lovable girl out there, naturally this movie shows that. Within minutes you want these characters to be happy and in love, something I rarely find myself wanting… More
One of the most crazy ideas, but executed so gracefully. Tom Hanks is the most lovable guy out there and Meg Ryan the most lovable girl out there, naturally this movie shows that. Within minutes you want these characters to be happy and in love, something I rarely find myself wanting without cause.
Anthony L

Fun film but I'm not understanding the 'Cult' following this film claims to have, does it really exist?
Jason O

"Joe Versus the Volcano" is a strange movie, but it is great. Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) isn't satisfied with his job or his life and on top of that his doctor tells him that he has a rare disease called a brain cloud and only has about 6 months left to live. A man pays him… More
"Joe Versus the Volcano" is a strange movie, but it is great. Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) isn't satisfied with his job or his life and on top of that his doctor tells him that he has a rare disease called a brain cloud and only has about 6 months left to live. A man pays him to sacrifice himself for an island. There's a tale about a small island in the Pacific Ocean that will sink if someone doesn't jump into the island's volcano after so long. The inhabitants on the island enjoy drinking tons of orange soda, and none of them are willing to jump into the volcano. Joe agrees to do it because he hasn't been satisfied with his life thus far and he wants to go out of this world like a man. The person who will sail him to the island is Meg Ryan. "Joe Versus the Volcano" was one of the first great Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movies. I think this movie has a deeper meaning to it than most people might notice after they watch it. It has elements of many different kinds of movies such as a romantic comedy, drama, and adventure. In a way I thought the movie had a message about if you're tired of waiting for something good to turn up in your life, don't give up altogether, you'll find it one day. I recommend "Joe Versus the Volcano" to anybody who likes great movies. It's hard to see why this movie hasn't ever got the credit it deserves because it's a great movie. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. Definitely one of the more underrated movies ever, the best Hanks/Ryan movie in my book, and their most overlooked.
Daniel P

What an odd movie. It's patently ridiculous, yet somehow charming. There are some really interesting scenes, and its building up of big clichés just to cut them down again is definitely not a typical move. You find yourself investing a good 15 minutes at a time into a scene that… More
What an odd movie. It's patently ridiculous, yet somehow charming. There are some really interesting scenes, and its building up of big clichés just to cut them down again is definitely not a typical move. You find yourself investing a good 15 minutes at a time into a scene that doesn't really mean anything or go anywhere. Or maybe it does, you're never quite sure. It's weird, but I can't say that I didn't enjoy it. Perhaps it was supposed to be something else and fell short due to production problems, or maybe a little movie got a ton of money and studio power behind it and wobbled out of control... I don't know how to explain it. The message is simple and valuable, though: don't just accept your situation, try to change it. Meg Ryan inspires Joe (Tom Hanks) to do so three times, as three different characters, which is also interesting and a credit to her actual acting talent. Why does she keep making such dumb movies nowadays? Not to say that this one's great, but does anyone remember Courage Under Fire? When Harry Met Sally?? I think she should fire her agent... I digress. Watch this movie - just expect nothing and you'll be fine.
Candy R

Comedy about a man who is terminally ill and decides to jump in a volcano.
moon r

a chick flick in comedic dressing...but okay
Lafe F

A quirky movie plot; it doesn't seem very real. I couldn't get too involved in the story.
Dean !

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks pair up for the first time in this silly comedy. It has its share of laughs and feel good moments though.
Curtis L

Fun movie about making life as good as you want to make it.
xGary X

Don't be put off by the presence of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan; this is their least nauseating effort with some nice production design in a similar vein to Brazil (from the same designer as Edward Scissorhands) and an interesting off-beat script.
Dean M

In this highly peculiar movie, Meg Ryan plays three different women while Tom Hanks plays Banks.
Cameron J

Tom Hanks stands out yet again. However, a lot of the time they spent on stretching out most of the scenes could have really gone to more development. Also, character chemistry and emotion is vacant, the writting is corny, flat-out terrible towards the end and delivered as badly as it… More
Tom Hanks stands out yet again. However, a lot of the time they spent on stretching out most of the scenes could have really gone to more development. Also, character chemistry and emotion is vacant, the writting is corny, flat-out terrible towards the end and delivered as badly as it sounds, all of Meg Ryan's clearly intended to be badly acted performances go too far and the soundtrack, while good, drowns out the whole movie. So, I guess I can sum up the majority of the vast amount of flaws by saying that John Patrick Shanley's directing in this movie is atrocious. Really, "Joe Versus The Volcano" has some of the makings of being the cult classic it has become, but for me, it is a thumbs down.
Burger S

So bad!
Sunil J

Sweet and adorable.
Sarah B

Sleepless in Seattle is way better, but this is interesting just to see that they already have such a chemistry. the premise doesn't work, the settings don't work, and I still don't understand what the reason behind all the Meg Ryan's is, but the film still manages… More
Sleepless in Seattle is way better, but this is interesting just to see that they already have such a chemistry. the premise doesn't work, the settings don't work, and I still don't understand what the reason behind all the Meg Ryan's is, but the film still manages to inexplicably hold your attention.
Leo L

Hilarious!