Tahoe Joe (film review)
A unique Indie film about a certain cryptid..
I haven’t seen many found-footage films. In fact, prior to seeing Tahoe Joe, the only one I can remember is 1999’s The Blair Witch Project. I don’t think I even finished it. The initial premise was interesting, but all the shaky camera sequences were really off-putting. I don’t recall being impressed with the acting, either, which was probably intentional on their part.
Therefore, with very little experiences with the subgenre, I was understandably hesitant to give Tahoe Joe a shot. I probably wouldn’t have tried it, if my friend hadn’t told me about it. She’s the same friend that recommended the works of Curry Barker and the French film, Inside. Assuring myself that I hadn’t been disappointed yet, I went into it blind. The only thing I knew about it was the one sentence synopsis on its Tubi page. I’m glad I checked it out, too, because I liked it. I didn’t love it, but I liked it. For the most part, I was entertained and the story kept my mind busy the whole time.
In hindsight, I think I was expecting (one some level, at least,) a movie with more action and less talk. Less buildup, you know? Was I expecting the cryptid to go on a blood-thirsty killing spree? I don’t think so, no. But given that Tahoe Joe is fiction, albeit in a “mockumentary” style, I was expecting a little more action. I wasn’t expecting a slow burn. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I appreciate a good slow burn. But was it really necessary for director Dillon Brown and his Green Beret friend, Michael Rock, to explain how they got involved in the case of a missing father, and the reciprocated emails containing alleged footage of Tahoe Joe? Maybe so, maybe not. Going that route, however, gave it an air of credibility and authenticity.
It was convincing to the point that I kept asking myself if this was a real documentary, or purely fiction. I was pretty sure it was scripted, but why would a horror movie use up so much time establishing a very basic plot, when they could’ve conveyed most of that through ten minutes of prologue? I think the answer’s two-fold: 1.) it looks and feels more true-to-life through the mockumentary lens, and 2.) Brown placed more emphasis on the close friendship between himself and his co-star, Michael Rock. Their friendship was one of my favorite parts of the film, and I think it’s Tahoe Joe’s strongest element. The chemistry they brought to the screen was great, and even through it’s fiction, their on-screen energy never felt forced or disingenuous. I think they wanted to make a movie that’s different than what most directors would produce, in spite of the creative risks involved. They never played it safe, and I respect that.
I was also never bored. Yes, it was very slow and it does require patience, but they kept it interesting. There were just enough conversations to keep me intrigued, without repeating themselves too much. The visuals were beautiful and I couldn’t look away. There was something about the way it was shot that made it effective and respectful. But the most impactful element was footage of the titular character, and the mystery surrounding Joe. Like I said before, it looked and felt so real. What’s all the more impressive is that they only had $800 to work with.
What didn’t feel authentic revolved around the son of the missing father, Jaylin. His body language and dialogue were very stilted and uninspired. I get that he was desperate to find answers, and that his mental state hadn’t been the same for the last four years. But still… His one saving grace is that his screen time was less than ten minutes.
On the heels of said misstep, Tahoe Joe went into a slightly different direction. Not too different, though. I’m thankful for the twist because it made it much more interesting. Furthermore, the changes were naturally, through the inclusion of their terrain guide, Shane. His character was the most fun to watch, and I liked his acting. He was also relatable, because there are a lot of people with core beliefs the same as his. It wasn’t long before tensions come to a head, and that heated conversation segued into the conclusion in ways I couldn’t have predicted. The segue felt inspired by real events, and I can’t think of a more suitable ending. Now obviously, it’s not going to satisfy everyone, but in hindsight, there were little clues along the way foreshadowing the denouement. Not only that, but it seems to indicate the direction Tahoe Joe 2 is taking. I’m all for that, and I can’t wait to see where it’s going.
If you’re interested, both films are available now on Tubi.