Finding Joe

I hadn't heard of Joseph Campbell prior to seeing "Finding Joe" but after watching the movie, and being inspired, I'm looking more closely at his work. His quotes resonant with me on a spiritual and intellectual level. There are quite a few that stand out like: "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." "It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure." And "Follow your bliss," which is a staple of the documentary. The film's incredible message is perpetuated by these quotes and commentary by a wide variety of professionals and others inspired by Joseph Campbell's teachings. Deepak Chopra, Mick Fleetwood, Akiva Goldsman, Catherine Hardwicke and Tony Hawk are just a few of the people who offer their insight into the hero's journey.

On a technical level, the film is beautiful. The cinematography is breath-taking. Each shot was clearly calculated and executed. For a documentary, the resolution is astounding. So it was aesthetically pleasing to watch "Finding Joe." The running metaphor of a separate narrative was also very clever and well-executed.

On a more personal level, I really connected with the film and its message. It's one of those movies that ignites epiphanies, because everyone can relate to the film's concept. All of the speakers in the film act as mentors and the audience members are mentees. The people in the film expand on Joseph Campbell's philosophies and in doing so relay the message that everyone needs to hear: "Follow your bliss." Joseph Campbell was an extraordinary man who continues to inspire people and, with the help of this documentary, will continue to inspire people.

This film was a beautiful and inspiring exploration of the Hero's Journey mythology, first explained by Joseph Campbell.

I felt that this film really pulled together elements of storytelling the Hero's Journey cycle that made it appealing and engaging for both myself, and my two children (8 and 12). There is a broad appeal across gender and age. The interviewees in the film come from a broad range of background and life experience, and I think nearly anyone could identify and really feel themselves being spoken to through the words of the different people who share their stories.

I think that this is something that explains Joseph Campbell's work in a modern, personal way, I am so glad to have seen it, and feel so excited to share this film with more people in my life.

I'm a big fan of Campbell's work and I think he would be turning in his grave at this... dumbed down, applied to white men, middle class, bliss equalling success versus meaning, and heavily ideologically alighted to capitalism. The visual asides between the speakers are excruciating. Don't bother.

Such an inspiring and interesting documentary that left an indelible impression on me. It inspires me to better face my challenges, take risks and realize my potential. I think they should show this movie to all college freshmen as they begin their adult life and are trying to figure out what they want to be when they grow up.

The unusual approach they take with using children to act out stories/myths in the beginning was a bit distracting in the beginning, but became more meaningful as the movie progressed.

I thought the people they interviewed were delightful. I loved their comments and stories which pulled me into their lives and made me want to know more.

It's a well done movie and will likely be one of the most influential to me personally that I've seen this year. Not all entertainment, so don't expect it to be full of action. But expect to learn, and to be touched on a deep level.

If you want to know about Campbell's work you'll need to look elsewhere.

Some basic aspect it are mentioned, however, as many have noticed, it's not really about him, neither about his biography nor his works about mythology. His fictional works are not even mentioned.

It's more about how Campbell's insights inspired a series of people (whom you might like or not) in their lives and work. And it's also about how narratives can impact how we view our life and change our attitude to it.

The documentary is well crafted and knows how to keep the viewer interested. It's basically a mixture of imagery, interviews and little performances by children intermingled.