After several delays and a title change, Roadside Attractions released it in U.S. theatres on July 23, 2021 .
The film also features Connie Britton as Joe’s wife, Lola, and Gary Sinise as a local sheriff Joe meets on his journey. Critical Reception
Critics from Screen Daily and other reviewers praised Reid Miller’s performance as Jadin, noting his ability to make the character feel deeply human rather than just a "symbol". Mark Wahlberg received credit for a raw and emotional portrayal that differed from his typical action roles.
Directed by and written by the Academy Award-winning duo Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana ( Brokeback Mountain ), the movie stars Mark Wahlberg as Joe Bell and Reid Miller as Jadin.
Some reviewers found the film's nonlinear storytelling—which uses Jadin as an "apparition" or mental companion during Joe's walk—to be an effective way to explore their relationship. However, others argued the film focused too much on the father's redemption and "pain" rather than the son's lived experience.
Devastated by the loss and grappling with his own previous inability to fully accept his son’s identity, Joe began a solo trek on foot across the United States. His goal was to walk from Oregon to New York City—a city his son had dreamed of living in—while stopping at schools and community centers along the way to speak about inclusion and the "lasting effects of bullying".
The film is based on the life of , a man from La Grande, Oregon, whose 15-year-old son, Jadin Bell , died by suicide in February 2013 after being relentlessly bullied for being gay.
The film currently holds a "Mixed or Average" rating on IMDb and Metacritic. Joe Bell (2021) Movie Review