Finding Joe

A Balcony Delivering discharge of a Pat and Pat production. Created by Patrick Takaya Solomon. Executive producers, Patricia Frazier, Solomon. Directed, compiled by Patrick Takaya Solomon.With: Deepak Chopra, Mick Fleetwood, Rashida Johnson, Tony Hawk, Catherine Hardwicke, Laird Hamilton, Robert Walter, Akiva Goldsman, Mister Ken Robinson, Robin Sharma, Lynne Kaufman, Alan Cohen, John Manley, Frederick Marshall III, Rebecca Remedy, Chungliang Al Huang, David L. Burns, Gay Hendricks, David Loy, Norman Ollestad."Finding Joe" does not give a biography of or critical perspective on late author, mythologist and speaker Frederick Campbell, rather offering an easily digestible summary of his key ideas. Patrick Takaya Solomon's docu will probably appeal mainly towards the formerly converted in initial theatrical/home-format exposure, then have a lengthy existence like a workshop primer. Moderately interesting pic opened up Sept. 30 in La, along with other U.S. metropolitan areas to follow along with. After an eyeblink summary of Campbell's personal history, the world-trotting docu falls in to the major theme of his life's work, that was the distillation of cultures' essential mythologies into what he called "the hero's journey" -- a universal journey whose primary recognized phases (separation, initiation, return) supply the Everyman protagonist by having an adventure through adversity that she or he emerges changed. A hefty quantity of film clips, recommending whether liberal lent-footage budget or plenty of studio-connected buddies, finds this narrative blueprint converted to popular entertainment in "The Exorcist," "The The almighty from the Rings," "The Wizard of Oz," "The Matrix," "Batman Starts," "Rocky," the "Harry Potter" and "Twilight" movies, et al. Inside a rather precious attempt for further illustration, staged sequences have costumed children play-acting elemental misconceptions on L.A. beaches and roads. But the majority of the docu features a range of government bodies and celebs explaining Campbell's ideas and just how they've personally effected them. (Nearly all individuals questioned were either near to Campbell and/or are authors of recent Age/self-help books, although the film does not point that out.) "Slaying the dragon" of a person's own perceived limits to "get to be the hero of your existence" is really a potent metaphor, and advice regarding how to make that happen by not worrying about rules, status and the other people think is definitely helpful. When you are told to "follow your bliss" by greatly effective stars in rarefied fields, like skateboarding mogul Tony Hawk and surfing legend Laird Hamilton, may strike some as getting a particular let-them-eat-cake hubris. Nobody here mentions such everyday potential roadblocks to recognizing a person's ideal self as, say, requiring to pay for the rent or feed your children it appears assumed anybody can/should transcend such restrictions when they really, actually want to. Are these concepts equally valuable towards the individual that does not possess a world-class talent or infinite ambition? By omitting such discussion, "Finding Joe" indicates regular lives -- that might be the majority of humanity's -- are mere treadmill machines that true "heroes" should ignore and/or escape. Campbell's career and influence encompass much wider fields of great interest than are thought here, regardless of the pic's colorful surface. Thinning its focus towards the easiest inspiring gist, with zero understanding of the guy behind it, "Finding Joe" ends up seeming as an infomercial for any personal-growth program half needs single-800 number to become listed in the finish. Possibly Solomon is really an enthusiast he did not realize he'd made something nonconverts might see like a try to sell you similar to individuals frequently produced by inspirational loudspeakers and compensated celebs with respect to major lizard-oil items. With nearly one fourth-century getting passed since Campbell took part in two documentaries about his work (exactly the same year he died), surely it's the perfect time for brand new motion picture studies less sycophantic than that one. Production values are high.Camera (color, HD-to-35mm), Ezra Migel editor, Paul Forte music, Isaac Sprintis music administrators, Greg Danylyshyn, Lori Vincent seem, Greg Conway. Examined on DVD, Bay Area, August. 14, 2011. Running time: 83 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com