Julian Po

Dark Comedic Thriller, not necessarily in that order

     

The movie is great. The photography is breathtaking; so much so that I sometimes had to rewind to be sure I really saw what I thought I saw. The acting is excellent, though many of the character actors perhaps overdo their small-town roles. The writing is like an excellent short story by one of the masters, though I was unfamiliar with the foreign author, Branimir Scepanovic, whose original story must have been superb. Julian Po walks into a small town, more or less by chance. The town clings to life by a thread of hope, and many believe that Po is the hope they've been waiting for. He unwittingly becomes their catalyst for change. Misunderstandings prevail, and these people's personal melodramas do not always work out as intended. But they all are fascinated by Po's self-admission that he plans to kill himself. I won't spoil the ending, but let me add that although there are laughs all the way through the movie, it is a dark, macabre comedy. Maybe not for the very young or the very insecure. The movie carries many unexpected twists, plus one big one that few could guess, though there are clues peppered throughout the movie starting with the very beginning.

A superb score by Patrick Williams compliments the movie, and some beautiful Soprano Sax solos by Dan Higgins add an anachronistic touch that perfects the setting.

I loved this movie. I hope you do, too.