One of my all time favorites.

Absolutely Fantastic

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Joe is an alcoholic, manager of the worst amateur football team in Glasgow and generally a good man getting through life one day at a time. When he gets involved in a dispute with health worker Sarah over one of his team (Liam) it serves as an introduction to one another. A first "date" bowling proves a fun night one and tentatively they start a relationship together. However while they try to form their own perfect little place with their feelings being more important than anything else, the harsh realities of life start to pressure them as Liam gets in deeper and deeper trouble with a local drug dealer over his wife's debts.Ken Loach is not really a man to come to if you are looking for an easy romantic comedy. Although My Name is Joe has tender moments and some quite sensual scenes, it is very much set in the world of the losers, the people we call scum, the people we never see. In that regard it is a typical mix of the good and bad of the human spirit crossed with the rough humour and pitfalls of being near or on the poverty line. They are not themes that we haven't seen before but as usual, Loach does it really well – drawing us in so that even a world we have no knowledge of is convincing and real. The story may not be an everyday tale of the daily grind but it is engaging and real all the same. Loach's direction helps this as he delivers every scene with a natural air and he draws out good performances from his cast.Mullan rightly hogs the limelight with a performance that is charming without losing sight of the pit that his character is barely out of. He is natural and he drives the film forward from the heart. Goodall works well alongside him. She is as wary as one would expect of her character but yet she has a good yet cautious chemistry with Mullan. McKay has a simpler character but he carries it off really well and just about keeps him sympathetic. The rest of the cast are very much secondary but there are also good performances from Kennedy, Lewis and others.Overall this is not a fun night in but then you already knew that. What it does do is to paint a poignant story of love on the bread line, of the struggles of poverty and addiction and it does it all in a way that is natural and engaging. Bleak and uplifting at the same time and a fine example of what it is that Ken Loach does well.

With dogme-esque style, "My Name is Joe" takes the audience to Scotland and into a pivotal slice of life of one alcoholic Scot...a man named Joe who, nearing midlife, finds himself still struggling for some semblance of success and happiness. Earnest, honest, and realistic apply to both film and character in this look at the seamier side of Scottish life. An excellent watch for those who enjoy realistic Euro-flicks.

I never used to watch British films. Most of them were either badly fumbled social commentary. Dodgy comedies with a line in send up or simply uniteresting. I was of course watching all the wrong movies.My Name is Joe changed my view. It is also one of the few dramas I have ever seen that has a real relevance to real life dynamics. In Death Wish Charles Bronsan blows away all the baddies and never gets beaten up or arrested or morally challenged by another person. In other words its fantasy. My Name is Joe of course is not at all like Death Wish but instead it is a great film about a central character who in trying to atone for his past and cause of who he is, sets about doing the best thing for those around him. He coaches a hopeless football team every weekend. He also does other things that are selfless but I wont tell you anymore about him or the plot.Safe to say instead this movie goes to show that sometimes no matter what you do you odds are too great. The more you get involved the worse it gets. But that is what makes it all the more moving in the end. The acting is superb, you understand every character. The situations are real and the direction is terrific. There really should be more films made like My Name is Joe. My advice is to go and see it. I simply wouldnt want to spoil it by telling you anymore.

Peter Mullen and Louise Goodall give excellent performances in this gritty lifelike social drama. "S**t Happens" and it needs addressing . Joe's life is in control until he is drawn into an impossible situation by a family member.Doing the right thing involves doing the wrong things and this threatens his relationship , his sobriety and ultimately his life .The tension towards the end of the movie was really uncomfortable, the behavior of the characters totally believable.The ending was touching without being over-sentimental , it rounds of perfectly . My only frustration is of wanting to know more of Sarah's past and how this weighs heavy on her relationship with Joe . Another cracking film from Ken Loach