It is no surprise that today’s world is heavily connected through the Internet. The question is, to what extent are we really “connected”? Are we connected to the point, that one could survive strictly through connections made through online connections? In “Craigslist Joe“, we follow Joseph Garner as he sets out to travel the US for 31 days, relaying strictly on Craigslist (hence the name).
Joe sets out firm rules from the very beginning of the movie; no contacting people he is friends with, as well as requiring all rides, food, and sleeping arrangements must be set up via Craigslist, or those he comes across on his journey. This is an extreme take on a Morgan Spurlock style test. To add to the relationship to Craigslist, even the filmmaker was found via the site.
The journey begins at a park near Garner’s house in Los Angeles, California. From the very beginning, we are given the feeling that this will not be no easy task, as Joe spends almost his entire first day sitting in the park. We ultimately find a ride out of Los Angeles and are on our journey.
While the movie has a run time of 1 hour 3 minutes, it felt like it was only a 30 minute video. The journey we go on alongside Joe, is full of wonders, and at sometimes glimpses of disbelief. The variety of people Joe meets, adds to the wonders, as every stop consists of a complete different style of life. The best of which is an Iraqi family, who immigrated prior to September 11, and now has to live with post-9/11 life. If this part doesn’t trigger your emotions, you are heartless. My second favorite companion is an extra from “Home Alone 2“; the blonde prostitute. She is a free-spirited woman who is living with brain cancer; and is allowing the universe to heal her. At first you may feel that she is crazy; which, well, she is. But the story she shares and the thoughts/regrets she has, are another thing sure to hit home.
While I do not want to ruin all of the people, Joe comes across on his 31 day adventure (obviously he ends up meeting “Craig”). I will say, the only way to describe the movie is an adventure. If you are looking for a feel good movie, that just shows that there actually are still good people in this world; hard to imagine with the events that are going on in the world today. While some scenes may have been edited or set up; hard to tell with current “Reality” movies, if you watch with an open-mind it is all believable. I think it’s time someone tries it with Twitter.
Be sure to check out “Craigslist Joe” when it is released on August 2nd at select theaters as well as on iTunes
Special thanks to Natalie at MPRM Communications for allowing me to preview this movie early.
