Joe Gould's Secret

2000

Joe Gould's Secret (2000)

TOMATOMETER

65%
75%

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

64%

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Movie Info

This historical comedy-drama is based on the true story of Joe Gould, a bohemian eccentric who was a fixture in New York's Greenwich Village from his arrival in 1916 to his death in 1964. Gould, who claimed to be a graduate of Harvard, would cadge drinks and subsist on catsup as he regaled patrons of neighborhood saloons with stories, poems, opinions, and his imitation of a seagull. In a 1942 New Yorker profile by journalist Joseph Mitchell, Gould spoke of his life's work, a book entitled An Oral History of Our Times, which he claimed would be eleven times longer than the Bible, contain a variety of overheard conversations from throughout the years, and document the decline of 20th century culture. Mitchell kept tabs on Gould, and tried to introduce him to publishers who might put his work into print, but nothing ever came of it, and it wasn't until Gould's death that Mitchell discovered the surprising truth about his friend. Directed by Stanley Tucci, Joe Gould's Secret stars Tucci as Mitchell and Ian Holm as Gould; Hope Davis, Steve Martin, Susan Sarandon, and Patricia Clarkson highlight the supporting cast.
  • Rating:
    R (for some language and brief nudity)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Stanley Tucci
  • Written By:
    Howard A. Rodman
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    USA Films

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Cast

Marc Alan Austen
as Stand-In-For Ian Holm
Ian Holm
as Joe Gould
Stanley Tucci
as Joe Mitchell
Hope Davis
as Therese Mitchell
Susan Sarandon
as Alice Neel
Sarah Hyland
as Elizabeth Mitchell
Hallee Hirsh
as Nora Mitchell
Celia Weston
as Sarah
Patrick Tovatt
as Harold Ross
Alan Corduner
as Francis McCrudden
Patricia Clarkson
as Vivian Marquie
John Tormey
as Harry Kolis
Jack A. O'Connell
as Chef
Jerry Mayer
as Minetta Bartender
Nell Campbell
as Tamar, the Hostess
Ron Ryan
as Jack
Allan Corduner
as Francis McCrudden
Merwin Goldsmith
as Monsieur Gerard
Laura Hughes
as Dr. Kim Maxwell
Steve Martin
as Charlie Duell
James Hanlon
as Mike, Cop at Coffee Shop
David Wohl
as Max Gordon
Julie Halston
as Sadie Gordon
Aida Turturro
as Waitress
Alice Drummond
as Helen
Daniel Kaufman
as Stand-In For Stanley Tucci
Justine Johnston
as Mrs. Bagly
Gordon Joseph Weiss
as Man At Flophouse
Andrei Belgrader
as Teddy
Gabor Morea
as Pawnbroker
Ben Shenkman
as David
Katy Hansz
as Margaret
Mark Cassella
as Cop At The Building Site
Harry Bugin
as Newsman
Lauren Ward
as Anne
Jessica Walling
as Betsy
Ted Blumberg
as Phil, the Writer
Ben Jones
as Southern Man at Party
Peter Francis James
as Man at Party
Richard Litt
as Bartender
Tom Joseph Foral
as Man In Gallery
Leigh Carlson
as Janet
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Critic Reviews for Joe Gould's Secret

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (8)

The film is too lackluster and inconsequential to pack any punch. Director Tucci's mise-en-scène is too self-regarding and fussy, the just-so period design is stifling, the cinematography arid.

Apr 10, 2018 | Full Review…
Film Comment Magazine

promise for dealing with the homeless common man is there, but ... falls short in this vein

Jan 22, 2011 | Rating: B- | Full Review…
Old School Reviews

Like its lead character, eventually becomes so aggravating that it long overstays its welcome.

Dec 6, 2005 | Rating: C | Full Review…
One Guy's Opinion

An interesting little movie.

Nov 14, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
ColeSmithey.com

Tucci's slow-paced storytelling in "Big Night" was brave and worked beautifully, but the same technique in "Joe Gould's Secret" becomes annoying.

Jun 15, 2002 | Rating: 2/4
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Joe Gould's Secret - slow, detailed, cautious, and ultimately kind of obtuse. Perhaps the problem is that this is the first movie he has directed that he hasn't written.

Jun 15, 2001 | Rating: 4
Cinerina
View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for Joe Gould's Secret

Good on you Stanley Tucci. You are as good a director as you are a performer. What a delightful tale.

John Ballantine
John Ballantine

Super Reviewer

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