Starring: Emily Beecham, Ben Wishaw, Kerry Fox, Kit Connor, David Wilmot, Phenix Brossard, Sebastian Hulk, Lindsay Duncan
Distributor: Rialto Films
Runtime: 104 mins. Reviewed in Jul 2021
Reviewer: Fr Peter Malone msc
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‘Little Joe’ sounds an endearing title. It also seems like an innocuous title, and congenial. One of the central characters of the film is a young boy, Joe, but he is not the Little Joe of the title. This reviewer came to the film without any previous knowledge at all. The narrative opened in unexpected ways and continued in that vein. So, for audiences who prefer to watch a film without any preparation, it is best to stop reading this review here. The review presupposes that readers are interested in knowing something of what the film is about and how it handles its themes. So, spoiler alert.
This is a film about genetic engineering. However, the main task at hand, in a vast greenhouse with elaborate laboratories, all bright and white, nothing overtly sinister, is focused on the cultivation of special flowers – and each flower is a Little Joe. As the film progresses, with the ambitions of the scientists to produce a flower with aroma that will lead to pleasant feelings, it emerges that the genetic engineering actually does have human intentions, human targets.
Emily Beecham is one of the chief scientists, committed very much to the development of Little Joe, the audience seeing vast rows of the scarlet-coloured flower developing, blossoming, producing its pollen and scent. Beecham is Alice, separated from her husband (who suffers from allergies), mother of the young Joe (a credible Kit Connor). While mother and son have a strong bond, we see Joe begin to change, wanting to spend time with his father, spending time with Selma, a young fellow-student. Things at home seem more and more on edge. Or is it Alice who is more on edge – especially as she goes to discuss her problems with therapist, Lindsay Duncan?
Most of the action takes place at home or on the greenhouse/laboratory site (though there is a relief excursion as Joe goes fishing with his father).
Generally, the scientists are cheery enough people, feeling under pressure to produce the flowers in time for a fair which will bring both prestige and sales. Alice’s co-worker, Chris (Wishaw) is earnest, attracted to Alice, friendly with Joe. On the other hand, there is a veteran scientist, Bella (Fox), long working at the greenhouse, having time off for mental problems, disturbed when her dog seems to turn against her, then her voicing suspicions about the malevolent effects of the pollen of Little Joe…
Perhaps film analysts discussing Little Joe will compare it to the versions of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The story is in that vein – but more complicated because the audience is left wondering whether we are looking objectively at the story and the characters, or whether we have been transported into the wary and disturbed mind of Alice. A very significant clue is given in the last few seconds of the film, and it would be a pity to miss this or overlook it. Science. Science-fiction. Not what we might have expected.
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