Watch Julian Po
- PG-13
- 1997
- 1 hr 24 min
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5.9 (1,651)
Julian Po is a thought-provoking dark comedy film released in 1997. The movie tells the story of Julian Po, played by Christian Slater, who is a stranger that arrives in a small town one afternoon, announcing that he intends to kill himself in three days. The townspeople are initially skeptical of his claim, but he proves to be sincere, and they begin to take him seriously, leading to a series of events that changes the entire town's outlook.
At first, the townspeople try to ignore Julian's announcement, passing him off as someone unstable. They quickly realize that he is sincere and decide to take him seriously. His presence affects each character in different ways, including the teacher, the police officer, the motel owner, and the local loner. While each has their own unique perspective towards Julian, they could not ignore his existential crisis.
Julian's arrival in the town is seen as an interruption to the lives of its residents. He is initially seen as an enigma or a menace by the community, and his purpose in the town is unclear. The residents start to develop mixed feelings towards him, as he begins to stir up emotions in them they have suppressed for years. He's an outsider, someone they don't know, and this imposes on them, leading them to reflect on unaddressed personal issues.
Despite his insistence on killing himself, Julian starts to get mixed up in the town's affairs, making friends and enemies along the way. He finds a kindred spirit in Sarah, played by Robin Tunney, a teenage girl who has her own emotional turmoil. Their friendship is beautiful, and it snowballs into a relationship that's both touching and meaningful. His intentions for taking his life start to fade away gradually, as the warmth of the people in the town begins to make him feel like he belongs.
As the movie progresses, Julian's dark intentions start to unravel and take a different turn. The townspeople start to sympathize with him, and their reactions transform into a sense of communal fear. In a way, they had changed Julian, and as he starts to enjoy life in the town, he begins to lose sight of his original goal. He starts to have a new appreciation for the small town life and becomes more invested in the town's well-being.
The twist in the film comes when Julian chooses to live instead of dying, thus completing his transformation. The town is shocked by Julian's decision, not knowing where his newfound lease on life will take him. The townspeople speculate if he is sincere or if it is just a façade, and it's left to the audience to decide.
This movie is a masterpiece, a dark comedy that looks deep into the psyche of small-town folk. It's a movie that looks at self-discovery, mental health, and how the kindness of strangers can change a person's life. Christian Slater gave a fantastic performance in the lead role, perfectly balancing the drama and comedy in the movie. Robin Tunney's performance was also remarkable, and the chemistry between her and Slater was palpable.
In conclusion, Julian Po is an excellent movie that cherishes and romanticizes small town life while reflecting on the challenges that come with it. The movie's themes are universal, and its message on personal growth and community ties is an essential one. The movie encourages us to be kinder to ourselves and to appreciate the connections we have in our lives. It's definitely worth watching, and its themes will resonate with every viewer.
Julian Po is a 1997 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.