Joe Somebody
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Talented actors are wasted on bad script.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Joe Somebody
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
the funniest movie in the world
What's the Story?
Joe (Tim Allen) is slapped in the face by a bully (Patrick Warburton) in an altercation at the parking lot at work while his daughter, who has come with him for "Take Your Daughter to Work Day," looks on. She sees his humiliation afterward -- he's so depressed that he sits at home in his bloody shirt for three days, until Meg (Julie Bowen), the office "wellness" coordinator, comes over and asks him what he wants. Joe decides to challenge the bully to a rematch. As soon as word gets out, he is suddenly Mr. Popularity around the office. So, all he has to do is spend three weeks taking fighting lessons from a former star of low-budget action movies, and he'll be all set.
Is It Any Good?
The dubious message of this feeble comedy is that being popular and being willing and able to beat someone up are what really matter. On the way to the final confrontation there is a lot of comic violence (including two below-the-belt injuries that are supposed to be funny). Despite his commitment to his daughter, Joe seems completely insensitive to the impact of his actions on her. And there is also something very icky about the way that Joe's ex-wife becomes attracted to him again when she sees how newly tough he is, so she puts on a sexy red teddy and tries to sneak into his house to get back together with him. To make it worse, it is their daughter who stops her, in a strange scene that makes it clear that any parenting in that relationship is going to the mother, not from the mother.
Attractive and talented performers are completely wasted in this movie. Despite a couple of nice moments between Meg and Joe, and the use of the truly magnificent Eva Cassidy song "Songbird," it is an almost unalloyed disappointment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about popularity and why so many people will do anything to attain it.
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 21, 2001
- On DVD or streaming: August 20, 2002
- Cast: Hayden Panettiere , Julie Bowen , Tim Allen
- Director: John Pasquin
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: language, thematic elements and some mild violence
- Last updated: March 18, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate