Joe Somebody MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

Tim Allen stars as Joe Scheffer in this story about standing up for yourself, even if you get knocked down. Since his divorce, Joe has plugged along modestly at his job as an audio-visual artist for a pharmaceutical company. When he confronts a larger, younger employee over a reserved parking space, Joe gets knocked down by the bullying co-worker. But to make it worse, Joes daughter sees it happen. After a few days of drowning his sorrow and depression, Joe issues a challenge for a rematch with the co-worker. Even Joe is surprised at the results of this effort to reclaim his self-image as executives and co-workers shower him with attention and admiration. Jim Belushi plays a has-been movie star who teaches Joe some confidence building martial arts. But his worried daughter and a caring co-worker help Joe focus on the real battle.

Despite the warmth and appeal of this story, the film includes frequent crude language and some strong profanity. Joe and his daughter having a loving relationship and he shows concern about her not following her dreams of creative writing. And, like many movie children, the daughter seems wiser than her parents. Although rated PG, it’s doubtful the more adult themes will even appeal to younger teens. The more wholesome story is encouraging, but the crude language and condoned drunken behavior send wrong signals from JOE SOMEBODY.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035