Watch Caveman's Valentine
- R
- 2001
- 1 hr 45 min
-
5.8 (8,166)
The movie Caveman's Valentine is an intriguing thriller from 2001 that stars Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role of a homeless man named Romulus Ledbetter. The movie has been directed by Kasi Lemmons, who has also written the screenplay based on the novel of the same name by George Dawes Green. It's an unconventional film that delves into the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic as he tries to solve a mystery and clear his name.
The movie starts with Romulus Ledbetter living in a cave in New York City's Central Park. He's a former classical music prodigy who suffered a nervous breakdown and turned to drugs. As he wanders around the city collecting cans and bottles, he becomes obsessed with a murder that he stumbled upon. He's convinced that the killer is trying to frame him and sets out to find the truth. However, no one believes him because of his mental illness and the fact that he's a homeless man.
Romulus has a daughter, Lulu, who is a successful photographer. Despite her estrangement from her father, she tries to help him when she hears of his plight. She believes that her father's paranoid ramblings might be more than delusions and sets out to investigate the murder herself. In her quest for the truth, she comes across a prominent businessman named David Leppenraub (Colm Feore), who becomes a prime suspect in the murder case. She teams up with Romulus to expose Leppenraub's dark secrets and clear her father's name.
The movie is not your typical thriller, with its unconventional hero, setting and subject matter. At times, it feels like a surreal indictment of modern society, where the most vulnerable are often ignored and overlooked. Jackson, who has been in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, puts in a nuanced and haunting performance as Romulus. He portrays the character's delusions, fears, and outbursts with empathy and conviction. He makes the audience believe in Romulus's journey, even as it gets more and more bizarre.
Feore, another talented actor, plays the villain with a subtle menace that keeps the audience on edge. His character is a complicated one, with layers of deceit and deviousness that he conveys through his voice and body language. Ann Magnuson, who plays Lulu, brings a fiery energy to her role. She's a strong-willed, independent woman who is not afraid to bend the rules to get what she wants.
The movie's cinematography and music are also notable. The film has a distinct visual style that captures the grit and sophistication of New York City. The music, composed by Terence Blanchard, is atmospheric and haunting, with eclectic rhythms and unconventional instruments that add to the film's strangeness.
Overall, Caveman's Valentine is a movie that defies expectations. It's a thriller with a heart, delving into the mind of a man who is often invisible to society. Jackson gives a tour-de-force performance that is worth the watch alone. If you're looking for something different and thought-provoking, this movie is definitely worth checking out.
Caveman's Valentine is a 2001 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 44.