JOHN OLDMAN is leaving town after ten years as a professor
at a local college. A number of colleagues at the college gather in his cabin
to wish him well. They ask why he's leaving and where he will go. At first his
answers are vague. Then he tells them he will reveal the full story; he was
born 14,000 years ago in cro magnon times and, for unknown reasons, stopped
aging when he reached thirty years old.
None of the friends believe him, but each responds in a
different way. The paleontologist asks if he has any unique artifacts to show.
The biologist asks about diseases he's survived. A psychiatrist decides he is
clinically insane, and perhaps should be involuntarily committed. A devout
Christian is horrified at what she considers blasphemy.
Each friend tries to find a flaw in John's story, but
cannot. Likewise, John is unable to provide proof to convince them--all the
details he gives about earlier eras are in textbooks. The only supporting
'evidence' is that John has not aged appreciably in the ten years he has live
in this town.
So is his story some kind of practical joke? Is he
maliciously playing with their minds? Is
he clinically insane? Is he actually
14,000 years old with incredible experiences and a genuine Van Gogh he's been
carrying around for centuries? Or will the movie end without answering the
question?
The entire film takes place in John's cabin or the immediate
vicinity. Except for a scene where one
person pulls a gun, there isn't a hint of violence, and even in this scene, you
know the person won't shoot. Except for the question--is he really so
old--there is no tension, but that question is enough to maintain interest.
This is a much better cinematic production than a workout
movie, but it's still worth watching while you exercise. Though there are a few slow spots, I give it
+++ - it will usually get your pulse up to a jog
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