Is this kid the son of some producer or something? This film could have been something halfway decent. It isn't. I knew in the first 15 minutes this kid wasn't right for this role. He's young, and might still have a future in front of him but this was too meaty a role to rest on the shoulders of someone so inexperienced and so obviously not up to the task. He looks and sounds like someone from the Hudson Valley but I'm supposed to buy that this kid is from Louisiana? It's a good enough story, standard run of the mill father/son/mentor picture and I really like these kinds of films, but it's bogged down by a poor lead performance. I don't regret watching it as I'm a huge Morgan/Strathairn fan. Emery is a good actress as well. It's not a bad story, just something that's been done a million times before, and better. Could have benefitted from a better lead.

Many reviews of this film discuss the unfulfilled potential of a good premise, the lackluster acting by some of the players, the uneven direction, etc., etc., etc. You know, I can't argue with any of that. But here's the thing: It is so hard, these days, to find a movie that leaves you with much of anything in the way of good feelings that run deeper than a shallow and momentary, fleeting high at best. Most don't even do that; it's not the intention of the filmmakers to make you happy, but rather to do something else. But here we have a film that, while rough and not up to par in some ways, accomplishes one very worthwhile thing. It shows us what it's like to struggle and fail as a parent or just as a person, and it shows us what it's like to keep trying anyway. How many modern films present examples of people who mess up in real life challenges, and yet don't make excuses or blame others, but rather take responsibility for their actions, their failings, everything, and keep giving it another try. This is what being a "good" person is about, not perfection, but someone who cares, who tries, and doesn't quit. And Bravo to the creators of Walkaway Joe for attempting to present that for people to see.