Film Review: The Caveman's Valentine (2001)

Kasi Lemmons is one of the very few Hollywood actresses whose career successfully transitioned to directing. Her skill behind camera can be observed in her second film, 2001 drama The Caveman’s Valentine.

The film is based on eponymous 1994 novel by George Dawes Green, who also wrote the script. Plot deals when the frozen body of a young man gets discovered in New York’s Central Park. Romulus Leadbetter (played by Samuel L. Jackson) has known the man good enough to be certain that it was murder rather than accident. The problem is that nobody believes him, which is quite understandable since Romulus lives in a cave in Central Park where he took shelter from angels dancing in his head and a sinister figure sending death rays from Chrysler’s Building. Romulus decides to start investigation by himself and later receives unexpected aid from Bob (played by Anthony Michael Hall), philanthropist attorney who recognised Romulus as former pianist who had studied at prestigious Juilliard School. With his hair neatly cut, shaven and well-dressed, Romulus can enter elite circles which include main suspect – David Leppenraub (played by Colm Feore), photographer who gained fame by making BDSM photographs of young men. Romulus’ investigation gets further help by Leppenraub’s sister Moira (played by Ann Magnuson) who begins to become attracted to the former pianist.

The Caveman’s Valentine is relatively obscure film. This could be explained by getting at the very boundary of two worlds. It was too conventional for arthouse snobs while, at the same time, too quirky for general audience. Basic concept of murder being investigated by schizophrenic might look silly at first, but script makes the plot go smoothly and direction by Kasi Lemmons is more than solid. Lemmons brought Samuel L. Jackson, actor with whom she had worked in her directorial debut Eve’s Bayou to play protagonist in this film and Jackson uses opportunity to play unusual character very well. The rest of the cast is also impressive, especially Colm Feore in his role. Lemmons shows great skill in using all kinds of editing tricks and different styles of cinematography in order to show the distorted view of the world experienced by mentally ill protagonist. The most impressive aspect of the film is music score by Terence Blanchard, based on piano pieces and representing one of more interesting soundtrack in Hollywood films of its time. Although the ending seems a little bit forced, The Caveman’s Valentine would represent pleasant surprise for all viewers that give it a chance.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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