fbpx

AVERAGE JOE (2024)

"Heartfelt True Story Stresses Redemption and Liberty"

Watch:

What You Need To Know:

AVERAGE JOE tells the true story of a high school football coach made famous after he was fired from his job for praying at center field. Joseph Kennedy, brilliantly played by Eric Close, recounts his life in an interview format. He starts with his childhood, where he became acquainted with abandonment and abuse. Despite his adoptive parents leaving him, he found his way into the Marines. However, Joseph still feels far from God. He recalls a conversation with a friend, the first positive influence in his life. Joseph then faces a choice that shapes the rest of his life.

AVERAGE JOE is a creative, well-acted, heartfelt movie based on an inspiring true story. It’s shot in an interview style, with Joseph and his wife, Denise, telling their story. Characters often break the fourth wall. This unique style is engaging and serves as a nice balance between the harsh reality of Joseph's life before faith, and a testimony to his life as a servant of God. AVERAGE JOE has some scenes of child abuse and other violence. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.

Content:

(CCC, BBB, PPP, L, VV, N, AA):

Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements:
Very strong Christian, moral worldview, with many Christian elements such as prayer, church and Scripture, plus many moral themes like fighting for what is right, faith, the importance of family, and how God’s love prevails over pain and a very strong support for religious liberty;

Foul Language:
Some minor obscenities, one use of son of a gun, asses, maggot, and other name calling by a drill sergeant;

Violence:
Multiple depicted and implied scenes of physical abuse, child abuse, a boy’s face is showed to be bloody and bruised after he is beaten, there are some depictions of war, soldiers are in a fire fight as explosions go off around them, two boys fight and punch each other, some blood is shown, a drill sergeant yells at a group of Marines, multiple examples of domestic abuse, Joseph’s wife has a stroke off-screen, there is a lot of tension between Joseph and his wife, but their faith and love prevail; Alcohol Use/Abuse: There are brief examples of drinking throughout, mostly at bars, a man who abused Joseph is clearly drunk and an alcoholic;

Sex:
No sex;

Nudity:
A soldier imagines himself in his underwear while charging into battle;

Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse:
No smoking or drugs; and,

Miscellaneous Immorality:
The movie shows title character’s difficult upbringing and involvement with violence in a realistic way, but it’s never glorified.

More Detail:

AVERAGE JOE is a powerful drama about the true story of high school football coach Joseph Kennedy, who made headlines after he was fired from his job for praying at center field after games.

The movie begins with a sit-down interview with Joseph, played by Eric Close, and his wife, Denise, as they recount their lives starting from early childhood. Joseph, who was given up for adoption, lives a rough life and always finds himself in trouble. He recalls how he gets into his first fistfight with his friend after he meets Denise, the next door neighbor. He swears to Denise he’s going to marry her one day.

The two children’s friendship grows as they bond over their shared experience of broken families and abuse. Even after Joseph’s adoptive parents send him away, he continues to write to Denise. While at a group home, one of the leaders tells Joseph about God. Due to his pain, Joseph shrugs it off.

The movie then fast forwards to his experience in the US Marines. While serving in the military, Joseph recalls the horrors of war, but also credits his experience in battle to learning the meaning of true leadership.

Ten years pass, and Joseph still remembers Denise. For different reasons, both of their previous marriages failed, and Joseph fulfills his lifelong wish of marrying his childhood sweetheart. Quickly, they both discover that they need to face the pain of their past lives together, and with God at the center. However, will Joseph’s fear keep him from surrendering his life to Jesus?

AVERAGE JOE is a phenomenal movie based on an inspiring true story. It tells Joseph’s life story in a unique and engaging way, often breaking the fourth wall. It also stresses faith, prayer and how God’s love can heal the deepest of wounds. It highlights the importance of doing the right thing, no matter the cost. Joseph’s story is a refreshing encouragement to fight for freedom, but ultimately that God is the greatest good in our lives.

The movie does show the harsh reality of Joseph’s pain and struggle before finding God, and there are some scenes that depict child abuse and other violence. However, the movie never showcases these occurrences in excessive ways, and they only serve to make Joseph’s redemption story more powerful.

Eric Close delivers a standout performance as Joseph Kennedy, and there are some great moments of prayer. Due to its depiction of abuse and violence, MOVIEGUIDE® does advise caution for older children.