The Caveman’s Valentine (2001)

[4]

Samuel L. Jackson stars as a homeless man trying to solve the murder of a young gay man who was the muse for a famous New York City photographer. Jackson’s character has a hard time getting anyone to take him seriously — not just because he’s homeless, but because he’s delusional. He believes an all-powerful man lives at the top of the Chrysler Building and is attacking him with green ‘c waves’.

Sometimes an unreliable narrator can make a movie interesting, but in The Caveman’s Valentine, it’s more frustrating than rewarding. Director Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou) depicts reality from Jackson’s point of view, complete with the Chrysler Building literally lighting up and shooting green light beams throughout the city. Some of her stylistic indulgences make for visually interesting moments. Whenever Jackson gathers his courage, we’re taken inside his mind where winged, shirtless black men dance and fly around. It’s a novel way to depict the voices in one’s head. Trouble is, we’re never in doubt that Jackson is insane. And he remains insane through the credit roll. The only other mystery to hang our hat on is the murder investigation. Unfortunately, Colm Feore plays the famous photographer so melodramatically, that we never suspect anyone else could be the killer. The film tries to surprise us in the final ten minutes, but arbitrary last-minute plot twists mean little when there’s no suspense leading up to them.

The movie is wonky enough to be worth a watch as long as you don’t expect it to come together in any meaningful way. It’s also worthwhile to watch Samuel L. Jackson — always the character actor, never the main star — sink his teeth into a more complex leading role for a change. Aunjanue Ellis gives a good performance as Jackson’s daughter. With Ann Magnuson and Anthony Michael Hall.