I’m going with the theory that Joe is in a coma. They have an actor who sort of looks like Joe, as long as the actor covers most of his face with a mask. Also, a second actor with a voice sort of like Joe’s delivers scripted remarks through a speaker hidden behind the first actor’s mask. Speech writers type stuff up, Actor #2 reads it, Actor #1 stands in front of cameras and provides the official front.I saw that movie. It was made in the '90s, I believe. "Dave", if I'm not mistaken.