Why Joe Fox from 'You've Got Mail' Is a Terrible Human Being and Is Probably Also a Sorcerer

The 1998 classic You've Got Mail directed by the late & oh so great Nora Ephron and starring Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan in their third collaboration tells the story of Kathleen Kelly (Ryan), a woman who wanders into an over-30 chatroom on the day of her 30th birthday and goes by the username Shopgirl. There, Shopgirl meets NY152 who is a man named Joe Fox (Hanks), the man whose company is essentially destroying Kathleen's livelihood. The film depicts the wondrous joys and immense struggles Kathleen endures as the legacy of her little Shop Around the Corner suffers a slow death until she eventually must shut it all down.

Now You've Got Mail is easily one of my favourite romantic comedies of all-time. I like to refer to it as the "mashed potatoes of film." Mashed potatoes are comfortable. Mashed potatoes make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Mashed potatoes are safe. If they are in my present surroundings, I will stop whatever I am doing and gobble that shit up. That said, there are serious issues in the movie I do not take likely. Mostly, Joe Fox. Joe fucking Fox. Look, it is adorable how they both are in relationships and constantly fantasize about talking to each other. I love the fact that Joe eats all the caviar off the plate like a disgusting savage (more of that in the post) but the more times I watch the movie, and trust me there have been a ton of times, the more I wonder what the hell is up with this guy.

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend watching this brilliant recut trailer of the film. All I'm saying is, it is never addressed who the Rooftop Killer was...

Joe Fox Does Not Appreciate Caviar

"That caviar is a garnish!" - Kathleen Kelly (1998)”

When Kathleen realizes the "F-O-X" man that appeared in her store was really Joe Fox, the man whose company is running her out of business, she approaches him like a strong, independent woman would do. She questions why Joe takes all the salt-cured fish eggs that are meant for everyone else at this party, something a caring human being would question. Joe's response? By shoving more caviar onto his plate. What a monster.

Joe Fox Teases People Waiting For Their True Loves

"... The man who is coming here tonight is completely unlike you."

When Joe Fox finds Kathleen at the coffee shop, he knows she is Shopgirl. He knows she is waiting for NY152. He knows she is head over heels for this figure and how does he treat this woman who believes she is meeting her soul mate? By making her second guess herself as to why he hadn't showed up yet. Oh the two women that wandered in aren't him? Oh the strange man dressed like Henry VIII isn't him either? Clearly he isn't showing up, you are SOL. Kathleen gives him a harsh reality check, the first she has ever given in her life, and he pouts and walks out. Telling anybody their legacy will be futile is messed up though. I'm sure he will cry about it to his American family.

Joe Fox Predicts A Man's Exact Coffee Order

“Tall... Decaf... Cappuccino!"

This isn't really related to his awfulness, I just found it interesting how in a voice over by his Cyber self, he accurately predicted a complete stranger's exact Starbucks coffee order from the size, caffeine level and type and this man happened to order right after Shopgirl/Kathleen orders her tall, skim caramel macchiato.

Joe Fox Makes It Virtually Impossible For Kathleen To Reject Him At The End Of The Movie

“Brinkley!"

At the conclusion of the film, when Kathleen finally meets her NY152, she tearfully lets out a "I wanted it to be you." Do you want to know why she is in tears? Kathleen is frightened for her life. Hey, to all you humans who want your love interest to not immediately run away when they see you: meet up at Riverside Park, bring your adorable dog and have Somewhere Over The Rainbow playing while dozens of strangers are present. You know who will reject you if you do that? Nobody, that's who. If you rearrange the letters in that tearful sentence and listen to them backwards, she actually means "Please help me this man is going to kill me. FIGHT... FIGHT TO THE DEATH"

The Movie Really Is Fantastic Though

Despite Joe Fox's occasional inability to connect with other human beings, You've Got Mail truly is a wonderful movie. There are colourful characters, nostalgia up the wazoo and Dave Chappelle shows up too! For like 3 seconds and he is great.

Also Steve Zahn. The Man, Myth & Legend