To shield us from the negative side effects of class mockery, Joe Dirt erects a clumsy edifice of denial and avoidance that entirely dissipates the movie's comedic energy. First, mullet or not, David Spade is just not a redneck. Since we are never really laughing at a redneck, but at a movie star in a redneck costume, we are washed squeaky clean of snobbery. Second, Joe is the one good redneck in Joe Dirt only because he is so obviously not really a redneck. These characters remind us that, although we are making an exception for Joe, our basic prejudice against rednecks is justified.
Incorporation is the name of the game here.
They must be processed correctly to become safe for middle culture consumption. There is, however, one moment of surreal brilliance here. Christopher Walken performs a cameo that confirms his comedic genius, while reducing the rest of this dull little movie to ashes. Now that guy is no redneck, but he's funny. All rights reserved.