Joe Versus the Volcano is a 1990 romantic comedy film written and directed by John Patrick Shanley and starring Tom Hanks and—in three roles—Meg Ryan. The film is writer Shanley's directorial debut and the first of three films pairing Hanks and Ryan. Despite positive reviews from some critics, including Roger Ebert, Joe Versus the Volcano was a box office flop. It has since attracted a cult following. Joe Banks is a downtrodden everyman from Staten Island, working in a factory for an unpleasant, demanding boss, Frank Waturi . Joyless, listless, and chronically sick, Banks... regularly visits doctors who can find nothing wrong with him. Finally, Dr. Ellison diagnoses an incurable disease called a "brain cloud" which has no symptoms and will kill Joe within six months. Ellison says that Joe's ailments were psychosomatic, caused by his horrific experiences in his previous job as a fireman. Ellison advises him, "You have some life left live it well." Joe tells his boss off, quits his job, and asks former co-worker DeDe out on a date. It goes quite well until he tells her that he is dying. She becomes very upset and leaves.
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