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IMDbPro

The Caveman's Valentine

  • 20012001
  • RR
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
7.9K
YOUR RATING
Samuel L. Jackson in The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
A cave-dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice.
Play trailer1:45
1 Video
14 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Music
A cave-dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice.A cave-dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice.A cave-dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
7.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Kasi Lemmons
  • Writer
    • George Dawes Green(novel)
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Colm Feore
    • Ann Magnuson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Kasi Lemmons
  • Writer
    • George Dawes Green(novel)
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Colm Feore
    • Ann Magnuson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 62User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:45
    Trailer

    Photos14

    Lulu, Romulus & Cork
    Samuel L. Jackson stars as Romulus
    Moira & Romulus
    Samuel L. Jackson stars as Romulus
    Samuel L. Jackson stars as Romulus
    Director Kasi Lemmons
    Samuel L. Jackson in The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in The Caveman's Valentine (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Romulusas Romulus
    Colm Feore
    Colm Feore
    • Leppenraubas Leppenraub
    Ann Magnuson
    Ann Magnuson
    • Moiraas Moira
    Damir Andrei
    • Arnoldas Arnold
    Aunjanue Ellis
    Aunjanue Ellis
    • Luluas Lulu
    Tamara Tunie
    Tamara Tunie
    • Sheilaas Sheila
    Peter MacNeill
    Peter MacNeill
    • Corkas Cork
    Jay Rodan
    Jay Rodan
    • Joeyas Joey…
    Rodney Eastman
    Rodney Eastman
    • Matthewas Matthew
    Anthony Michael Hall
    Anthony Michael Hall
    • Bobas Bob
    Kate McNeil
    Kate McNeil
    • Bettyas Betty
    Leonard L. Thomas
    Leonard L. Thomas
    • Shakeras Shaker
    • (as Leonard Thomas)
    • …
    Joris Jarsky
    Joris Jarsky
    • Boy Toyas Boy Toy
    • (as Joris Jorsky)
    • …
    Pierre Alcide
    • Toupeeas Toupee
    Richard Fitzpatrick
    Richard Fitzpatrick
    • Walteras Walter
    Sean MacMahon
    • Scottyas Scotty
    • (as Sean Macmahon)
    Vija Zvers
    Vija Zvers
    • Pennyas Penny
    • (as Vija Brigita Grosgalvis)
    Phillip Jarrett
    Phillip Jarrett
    • Choreas Chore
    • Director
      • Kasi Lemmons
    • Writer
      • George Dawes Green(novel) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film is dedicated to Billie Neal, with whom Director Kasi Lemmons worked on Eve's Bayou (1997) and Gridlock'd (1997).
    • Goofs
      When Sheila wakes Romulus to tell him he's being misled, Moira turns and pulls the bedclothes up enough to show that she's wearing blue-checkered shorts. A short while later, when Romulus is getting out of bed, Moira is obviously naked.
    • Quotes

      Romulus Ledbetter: I'm not homeless...I live in a cave.

    • Crazy credits
      For "Billie" 1955-1999 - "love you baby. always have. always will."
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: 3,000 Miles to Graceland/The Caveman's Valentine/Monkeybone/The Widow of Saint-Pierre (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Concerto for Two Violins, 2nd Movement
      Written by Johann Sebastian Bach

      Courtesy of Associated Production Music, LLC

    User reviews62

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Kasi Lemmons Delivers
    The thin line between genius and insanity is examined in this story of a gifted man estranged from his family and separated from his vocation by his seemingly unfounded paranoia. `The Caveman's Valentine,' directed by Kasi Lemmons, stars Samuel L. Jackson as Romulus Ledbetter, a former Julliard student, talented composer and pianist who now lives in a cave near a park in New York City. Romulus treads that delicate line between reality and fantasy, his thought process interrupted by the `moth seraphs' that live within his head, but even during his most rational periods the demons of his delusions plague him incessantly. He alternately recoils from and stands boldly upright against the presence of the towering skyscraper (the Chrysler Building) wherein resides the `Big Brother' of his imagination, the man responsible for his present state of being, a man named `Stiverson.' But then again, is it really only in his imagination?

    In his cave, Romulus has an unconnected television set he watches, which keeps him abreast of the latest `lies' concocted by those in power and foisted on an unsuspecting public. He lives alone, but is well known on the streets for his vociferous ranting and railings against Stiverson and those who seek to subjugate those like himself, those who haven't the strength or the power to stand up to them. Then one day, in the dead of winter, Romulus emerges one morning from his cave and finds something in a tree just outside. And what he finds sets him upon a quest that will prove to everyone once and for all that he is not crazy, that Stiverson and the others exist and are what he says they are, and if he is successful, he will finally have the proof. Now if he can but stave off his demons and maintain lucidity long enough to do what he must do; he is adamant, but just as he is beginning, `they' introduce their newest weapon which they wield in a soft, green light, the `Z-Rays.' Romulus, however, is frightened but not deterred, and more determined than ever to expose Stiverson for what he is.

    Kasi Lemmons, who made an auspicious directorial debut in 1997 with `Eve's Bayou,' presents this complex story with a stylistic and artistic touch that at times evokes the spirit of Fellini (as with the `moth seraphs' sequences which she uses to great effect). She quickly establishes the character of Romulus and sets a pace that allows the mystery to escalate as the story unfolds. Her approach succinctly captures the paranoid world inhabited by Romulus in his own mind, and she plays on his sudden erratic behavior and the unexpected turn in the middle of a scene to build an underlying tension that makes the drama all the more riveting. Most importantly, she manages to go beyond what is happening in the film to convey the true essence of what this story is all about, with insight and an obvious and incisive grasp of human nature.

    Samuel L. Jackson gives a dynamic performance as Romulus, who has a tendency to lapse into quiet moments, but guards against them as if they were a threat to his safety. Afraid to let his guard down, he fights his fears with anger and bravura, but clearly that's not who this man really is, which Jackson communicates quite effectively. There's nothing feigned or pretentious about this character, and Jackson takes him from a rational moment into madness seamlessly, which adds to the credibility of not only Romulus, but the entire film. This is not a man to whom you will be able to relate directly, but there are certainly elements of his situation to which you will readily be able to sympathize. Romulus is a thoroughly complex character, and Jackson realizes those complexities with insight and realism.

    Also outstanding in one of the smaller, but pivotal supporting roles in Anthony Michael Hall as Bob, the bankruptcy lawyer who encounters Romulus and somewhat indirectly facilitates his mission. Hall has matured as an actor, and this is probably one of the best roles he's had since his youthful efforts in such films as `National Lampoon's Vacation,' and `The Breakfast Club.' Ann Magnuson also gives a noteworthy performance as Moria Leppenraub, the sister of artist David Leppenraub (Colm Feore), who is something of a free spirit and becomes involved with Romulus when certain circumstances lead him to David. Magnuson has a certain charismatic, Shirley MacLaine-like quality about her that makes her accessible and easy to watch, and she is very believable here as Moria.

    Rounding out the supporting cast are Tamara Tunie (Shelia), Damir Andrei (Arnold), Aunjanue Ellis (Lulu), Peter MacNeill (Cork), Jay Rodan (Joey), Rodney Eastman (Matthew) and Kate McNeil (Betty). A thought provoking, emotionally involving film that is exceptionally well presented and acted, `The Caveman's Valentine' has something to say about the diversity of a society in which everyone has a place, no matter what they may appear to be, and the fact that absolutely no one should ever be dismissed out-of-hand. It says that there are no `throw-away' people; that the value of an individual often cannot be measured until confronted with extraordinary circumstances, for it is that which brings out the best and drives someone like Romulus to exercise the latent capacity which lies within. One of life's lessons, told here with a profound clarity by Lemmons, through a medium that is the magic of the movies. I rate this one 9/10.
    helpful•22
    6
    • jhclues
    • Jul 31, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 20, 2001 (Malaysia)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Sign of the Killer
    • Filming locations
      • Pickering, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Franchise Pictures
      • Jersey Shore
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $687,194
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $112,041
      • Mar 4, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $794,481
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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