Scottish director Ken Loach has been accused of making movies that are either too preachy, too lowbrow or too confusing. But one thing they've never lacked is character, and "My Name is Joe" has plenty of that.
In fact, this downbeat but rewarding drama has enough character and material for two or three films. And though that sounds like a recipe for disaster, Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty (his collaborator on 1996's "Carla's Song") do a superb job of stripping the film down to the essentials — without treating the subject matter in a superficial manner.
Nor, for that matter, does it lack for great acting, even if the cast members aren't very well known. (Joe Mullan won the Best Acting trophy from the 1998 Cannes Film Festival for his portrayal of the title character.)
Another thing it definitely doesn't need this time around is translation. Like "Carla's Song," the film is subtitled, which will help audiences understand the sometimes unintelligible (thick-accented) dialogue.
However, much of the script is peppered with profanities, which can make both reading the subtitles (as well as watching the film) a rough experience.
The film follows the efforts of a recovering, thirtysomething alcoholic, Joe Kavanagh (Mullan), to rebuild his life. Serving as coach for a local (and losing) soccer team, as well as a mentor to some of the players, Joe looks as if he's finally headed in the right direction.
He's also started dating Sarah Downey (Louise Goodall), a health social worker who's not intimidated by his tough exterior or scared off by his sordid past.
But their promising relationship is threatened by outside forces, namely the troubles of a young, married and drug-addicted couple, Liam (David McKay) and Sabine (Anne-Marie Kennedy) they're counseling.
Desperate to get Liam out of debt, Joe agrees to do a "favor" for McGowan (David Hayman), a local gangster and former "associate" who is more than happy to see Joe begging for mercy.
Unlike most Hollywood dramas, where the story goes from there is quite unexpected and moving. And the shattering climax to the story will stay with you for days.
Although the storyline sounds somewhat depressing, there are some surprisingly bright, even humorous moments, and Loach never lets it get too dreary.
Besides, Mullan and Goodall are so appealing together that you really care about their characters, which only heightens the sense of foreboding that pervades the film's final third.
"My Name is Joe" is rated R for excessive profanity, violent beatings, use of vulgar slang and some crude sexual references, brief female nudity and a brief scene of drug use (heroin).