Product Details

• Actors: Amber Tamblyn, Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Ritter, Michael Welch
• Directors: Alan Myerson, David Petrarca, Elodie Keene, Gloria Muzio, Helen Shaver
• Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (PCM Mono)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 6
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: May 10, 2005
• Run Time: 1028 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007TKHKC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,073 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Joan of Arcadia - The First Season" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Once in awhile a show comes along that breaks the mold. Most such programs fail, but Joan of Arcadia set out to do something new, beat the odds, and found an audience. Created by Barbara Hall (Judging Amy), it’s a unique hybrid of My So-Called Life, The Commish, and--well, something different. Unlike CBS predecessor Touched by an Angel, faith creates more questions than answers (and God even has a sense of humor).

Joan (Amber Tamblyn) is an ordinary 16-year-old. Father Will (Joe Mantegna) is the local Arcadia police chief, mother Helen (Mary Steenburgen) is a teacher/administrator, younger brother Luke (Michael Welch) is a fellow student, and older brother Kevin (Jason Ritter, son of John Ritter) is a high school graduate who was paralyzed the year before. He used to be popular and athletic. Now he watches TV and builds models. In the pilot, God speaks to Joan for the first time, as a cute boy, and asks her to get a job. Once she's convinced He's really God, she does. Her action inspires Kevin to get one, too, and his process of rejoining the world begins.

As in Joan Osborne’s theme song, "One of Us" (featured on two episodes), God will continue to appear to Joan in a variety of guises--even as a dog walker who looks like Russ Tamblyn (Amber's father). He’ll often ask her to do things that make her uncomfortable, but she'll always learn from the experience and some good will always come from it. Unfortunately, she isn't able to talk to anyone about this or they'd think she was crazy, not even friends Grace (Becky Hahlstrom) or Adam (Christopher Marquette). By the season finale, faith will be replaced by doubt, setting the scene for the second season, in which Joan’s faith will be restored. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

JOAN OF ARCADIA:FIRST SEASON - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

153 of 160 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best written and acted tv series since Angel and Buffy, March 15, 2005

By 

J. Whitford (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Joan of Arcadia - The First Season (DVD)

This was one of the finest television series on the air. The writing was superb, the characters were believable, and the storylines were to die for.

If you loved the Touched by an Angel series, you will enjoy this one.

The main character, a high school girl named Joan talks to God all day every day as she sorts through the pains of growing up. What I love about this show is that God appears as every single race, color, creed and religion - from a middle aged chess player to a Gothic punk rocker. Joan never knows what God will look like, but has blind faith God is always there.

I also love that she does not always appreciate the advice she is given and gets annoyed with God from time to time. I can relate to not liking the answer I get to my prayers. I don't always get what I ask for. But I always get what I need. Just like Joan.

111 of 118 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Currently, one of the best shows on TV, February 20, 2005

By 

Patricia Huerta (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joan of Arcadia - The First Season (DVD)

This show is certainly different from what we see on TV. The formula may be typical, but the approach to this theme is very original. Although it deals with Joan (Amber Tamblyn) talking to God, not everything is sweet and pink. Tragedy occurs, her family has to live with many ordeals in order to stay togethes. She can even be considered insane at some point because "talking" to God does not provide alla the answers needed. I fact sometimes it's confusing. The acting is very good, and the story very promising, so it's not a surprise that it has been a very popular show when TV is being ambushed by "reality" shows. I think Joan of Arcadia is here for the long run so if you haven't seen it, this is your chance to enjoy a very good show, and if you already see it, you can certainly enjoy them again.
I can't rate the contents of the DVD yet but I hope it's full of extras!

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joan of Arcadia, sophisticated, witty,, February 21, 2005

By 

Rumi "harvard okie" (Yreka, California, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Joan of Arcadia - The First Season (DVD)

An entirely believable 16 year old girl with an entirely believable family, warts and all. The program handles complexity with great sophistication, often letting complex issues stay unresolved, forcing the viewer to reach her/his own conclusions. Manages to be spiritual without being theological; avoids confusing religion with spirituality. A definite viewpoint about God is here, without any attempt to proselytize. The best program I have ever watched dealing with spirituality. All the main characters are fine actors and the interactions with Joan's family and friends are witty, occasionally sad, always asking profound questions.