There must be something about the story of the real Joe Bell that somehow didn't make the final cut. Because on the strength of the movie alone, Joe is a pretty poor excuse for a hero. And why anyone thought his story added up to an important and uplifting parable about bullying remains a mystery. Sure, the guy is understandably grief-stricken about his gay son's suicide, and he goes to somewhat extraordinary lengths to atone for his own guilt. That said, his insensitivity and disregard of the boy's feelings seems to have contributed to if not actually triggered the suicide. Then he takes off on his walk of atonement, leaving a grief-stricken (and apparently alcoholic) wife and a surviving son also in need of a father. It's selfish, to say the least, And nothing about any of the speeches Joe makes or the encounters he has along the way suggest he's much of an inspiration to anyone. All in all, I was increasingly annoyed by Mark Wahlberg's scenery-chewing, look-at-me-playing-a-hick, where's-my-award? Performance. And, it has to be said, the Sixth-Sense twist just further cheapened the story. For me, the only real compensation was Reid Miller's charismatic performance as Jadin, Joe's son. He's one to watch.