Film festivals are tricky business for filmmakers. Yes, they provide instant buzz, as a successful debut at Cannes, TIFF, Venice, or Sundance can do wonders for the publicity for your project. However, there are two edges on that sword because a negative debut can almost completely crater a film. And sadly, that happens more times than we like to admit. This year, it appears that might have happened with Mark Wahlberg’s TIFF film, “Good Joe Bell.”
According to Solstice Studios, the distributor is moving forward with the release of the highly-anticipated film, now retitled “Joe Bell,” but the film isn’t going to be the same one that was screened in Toronto. With 30 reported reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (backed up by our own critical review), “Joe Bell” currently sits at 53% on the Tomatometer. Not good for a film that was poised to be a financial hit and possible awards contender for its star, Mark Wahlberg.
For those that didn’t see the film, “Joe Bell” is based on the inspiring true story of a working-class, small town dad that goes on a cross-country walk to drum up support for an anti-bullying campaign inspired by the abuse received by his gay teen son. As mentioned, the film premiered at this year’s TIFF but wasn’t a critical darling, and now Solstice has promised to go back to the editing room and fix the problems, while also adding a new song from Diane Warren.
“The version of the film that was screened at Toronto was very promising, and after working with the filmmakers and Mark Wahlberg on a revised cut, we feel it has now reached its full potential” said Mark Gill, President and CEO of Solstice Studios. “Thanks to a lot of hard work as well as the addition of a new original end title song from legendary songwriter Diane Warren, we believe this film now has newfound power and emotional potency that substantially elevates its very important message. We are grateful to the filmmakers and cast for bringing us the opportunity to carry on the work Joe Bell started.”
Wahlberg added, “This is a story that is very important to me personally. Joe Bell is a man who didn’t understand certain things about the world until he was faced with them in his own life — as a father. As a parent myself, I know how much fatherhood can change a man. This is a story told from a very personal point of view, from the heart of a man who walked from town to town to reach families just like his, delivering a message of tolerance to people who often didn’t want to hear it at first. It shows us how a series of small steps can add up and make a big difference for the people in this country who need to know they are loved and accepted.”
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This is far from the first time that this sort of re-edit happens after festival premieres. Two years ago, we saw this with the premiere of David Robert Mitchell’s “Under the Silver Lake,” which was delayed quite a while as the post-festival editing took months. Then last year, we saw Olivier Assayas’ “Wasp Network” debut at Venice and then hurriedly get recut before its debut on Netflix. In both cases, the original reviews stuck and the buzz all but dissipated. We’ll have to see if the same holds true for “Joe Bell.”
“Joe Bell” is scheduled for release on February 19.