Hey Joe, when home becomes more than a place

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Hey Joe is a heartfelt story about beauty and coming home. It follows a father’s journey to find his son, showcasing Claudio Giovannesi’s evocative filmmaking and a powerful performance from James Franco. The cast also features Francesco Di Napoli, Aniello Arena, Giulia Ercolini, and Francesca Montuori. Here’s our take.

Hey Joe, The Plot

Set in the 1970s, Hey Joe follows Dean Barry (James Franco), an American war veteran haunted by his time in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Lost in life and weighed down by his past, everything shifts when he receives a letter from a son who wants to meet him.

Driven by this unexpected chance to connect, Dean sets off from the U.S. to Italy. Along the way, he faces not only language and cultural barriers but deep emotional ones, as father and son confront their shared wounds. This journey of transformation unfolds in the rugged streets of Naples, a city bruised but unbroken, where love, against all odds, takes root.

Hey Joe, The Review

The message in Hey Joe resonates with something James Franco shared at its Rome Film Fest premiere: “No matter how low life takes you, there’s always a choice. You can give up or push through and help others with what you’ve learned”. This idea captures the heart of Hey Joe, the latest film from director Claudio Giovannesi, celebrated for his delicate, deeply human storytelling. After his success with La Paranza dei Bambini, Giovannesi returns with a film that’s precise, thought-provoking, and grounded in raw authenticity. For Franco, Hey Joe is a powerful comeback, showcasing one of his most captivating roles in years.

An American Dream in the heart of a weathered Naples

Hey Joe is a story about many things, but above all, it’s a reflection of our own experiences. It paints a vivid picture of Neapolitan life, capturing two distinct periods: the post-war era and the 1970s, when the ‘nuttata’ – symbolic of long, challenging nights – seemed to stretch endlessly, reminding us that even the darkest times must eventually pass, reminiscent of Eduardo De Filippo’s writing in Napoli milionaria, inspired by those very times.

Naples is a city full of hope, even in the midst of confusion, despair, and uncertainty. Day after day, it fights to overcome the challenges life throws at it. Here, the ‘American Dream’ takes shape in a city battered by bombings, hunger, and hardship, a place where everything seems scarce, yet its spirit remains unbroken.

Claudio Giovannesi has a remarkable talent for capturing the realities of Naples with a poetic, gentle, and deeply respectful approach, steering clear of the excesses that often tempt filmmakers. He does this through vivid and nostalgic details, conjuring images of prostitutes waiting for American soldiers on the steps of the Quartieri Spagnoli. In this context, Hey Joe becomes more than just a term of endearment; it transforms into an enticing invitation to bridge these seemingly distant worlds.

Music and Cinematography: sounds and shadows of an era

Music plays a crucial role in connecting the two worlds in Hey Joe, with a soundtrack that beautifully mixes Neapolitan sounds with American jazz, blues, and soul, drawing us into the very heartbeat of the city. Director Claudio Giovannesi, along with writers Massimo Gaudioso and Maurizio Braucci, dives into the post-war underbelly of Naples, where American GIs and local musicians came together—a world that hinted at the rise of icons like Pino Daniele.

This musical tribute highlights the deep cultural connections that defined the era. Cinematographer Daniele Ciprì enhances this atmosphere with his moody, hyper-realistic visuals, painting Naples in colors that reflect Dean’s feelings of displacement and longing. Each frame pulses with shadows and light, mirroring Dean’s struggle between a troubled past and a hopeful future.

James Franco, welcome back

In what may be one of his best performances, Franco completely immerses himself in the role of Dean Barry. He’s present in almost every scene, adding deep complexity to a father wrestling with regret but also sparked by a glimmer of hope. Leading up to the premiere, some worried that Franco’s portrayal might come off as distant or out of sync with the raw energy of Naples. Instead, he turns out to be the perfect bridge, embodying Dean’s journey with incredible nuance and sincerity.

Every glance, sigh, and pause reveals a lifetime of unspoken struggles, blending effortlessly with the film’s emotional core. Franco’s performance feels like both a cinematic homecoming and a personal awakening, a powerful return to the essence of storytelling.

Supporting Cast

The supporting cast shines alongside Franco, with Francesco Di Napoli delivering an impressive performance as Enzo, Dean’s son. Enzo feels like a real character, shaped by a city where crime offers no way out. However, through his relationship with Dean, Enzo discovers a new sense of purpose and belonging, forging a bond that is both delicate and transformative. The chemistry between Franco and Di Napoli is electric, capturing the complexities of a love that is both challenging and healing.

Aniello Arena adds depth as Don Vittorio, Enzo’s adoptive father and a local crime boss, introducing an extra layer of tension to Enzo’s struggles. The cast also includes Giulia Ercolini, Giada Savi, and Francesca Montuori, whose performances enhance the film’s emotional landscape, enriching the story with their unique portrayals.

Hey Joe, A journey of the heart

Whether Hey Joe is rooted in fact or myth, it’s much more than just a story. It’s a soulful journey that delves into forgiveness, self-discovery, and the often complicated road back to one’s roots. The film shines a light on the people, places, and memories that shape who we are, regardless of their imperfections. For Dean, Naples isn’t just a place to find his son; it’s a city that, in all its raw resilience, holds everything he thought he had lost. Hey Joe celebrates the journey of coming home: to a city, a family, and a history that, despite the distance, remains at the core of what truly matters.

Hey Joe, Cast

• James Franco: Dean Barry
• Francesco Di Napoli: Enzo
• Giulia Ercolini: Bambi / Angela
• Aniello Arena: Vittorio
• Gabriel Riley Hill Antunes: Dean a 19 anni
• Giada Savi: Lucia Stendardo
• Francesca Montuori: Nunzia
• Donovan W. White: Josh

Hey Joe, Official Trailer

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