A sophomore jinx for Lemmons, an overstuffed drama that fails to satisfy as a murder mystery or as a spiritual redemption saga of a homeless man, disappointingly played by Samuel Jackson (who was misdirected).
The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:80
Fresh:35
Rotten:45
Average Rating:5.1/10
Consensus: The Caveman's Valentine has an intriguing premise, but the film falls flat under the weight of its ambition.
Synopsis: Romulus Ledbetter (Samuel L. Jackson) is a schizophrenic homeless man who lives in a cave in a New York City park and believes that his nemesis is trying to control the world by projecting... Romulus Ledbetter (Samuel L. Jackson) is a schizophrenic homeless man who lives in a cave in a New York City park and believes that his nemesis is trying to control the world by projecting mind-control beams from the Chrysler Building. Romulus is also a Juilliard-trained pianist who retreated into a world of fantasy and paranoia when the stress of his professional and family lives became too much. When Romulus finds a young homeless man frozen to death outside his cave, the police write it off as an accident but Romulus investigates and discovers evidence of murder. While trying to reconcile with his policewoman daughter, Romulus sneakily investigates a trendy artist and his models for evidence of murder, blackmail, and more. Based on the novel by George Dawes Green, THE CAVEMAN'S VALENTINE is a unique trip into the disturbed but still highly intelligent mind of a character only Samuel L. Jackson could pull off. Director Kasi Lemmons, who previously directed Jackson in EVE'S BAYOU, takes us inside Romulus's mind using spectacular and jarring special effects, yet never letting the viewer forget the simple, human drama at the heart of the film. Offbeat and unique, THE CAVEMAN'S VALENTINE is a truly independent creation. [More]
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Tamara Tunie, Aunjanue Ellis, Colm Feore
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Tamara Tunie, Aunjanue Ellis, Colm Feore, Anthony Michael Hall, Ann Magnuson, Jay Rodan, Damir Andrei, Rodney Eastman, Peter MacNeill, Kate McNeil
Director: Kasi Lemmons
Director: Kasi Lemmons
Screenwriter: George Dawes Green
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Elie Samaha, Andrew Stevens
Composer: Terence Blanchard
Studio: Universal Pictures
Reviews for The Caveman's Valentine
Remember David Helfgott, the concert pianist who goes mad in Shine? Imagine him in dreadlocks and as the star of a detective thriller, and you have a better understanding of The Caveman’s Valentine than the people who made it.
Really not much more than an urban Scooby Doo episode, only Shaggy is black and with far more facial hair.
Jackson struggles mightily with a thankless role which has him doing and saying way too many absurd things.
Lemmons creates mesmerizing passages, but she can't bring this one to a fulfilling crescendo.
It’s unfortunate that all this talent is misplaced on what is, essentially, a contrived mystery.
Though not as brilliant as Eve's Bayou, The Caveman's Valentine represents an admirable sophomore effort, and a terrific showcase for Samuel L. Jackson.
...not enough sustained mystery or suspense for a good crime thriller and not enough unique insights or perceptions for a good character study.
It's a less-than- compelling drama and a much-less- than-compelling murder mystery, and it squanders a first-rate cast.
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