Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

It's often been said there's a thin line between genius and insanity. A gifted pianist named Romulus Ledbetter lives in both worlds. Even though he lives in a cave and fights an imaginary enemy named Cornelius Stuyvesant, Romulus is also a man acutely aware of the fine arts. On the streets, he can impress those who see him with either skill. His rantings also scare anyone who crosses his path.

In the movie "The Caveman's Valentine," Samuel L. Jackson stars as Romulus. On Valentine's morning, he discovers one of his homeless friends frozen to death in a tree outside his cave. When the police first question him, Romulus accuses Stuyvesant. Then, thanks to a message he sees on a poster, Romulus remembers the victim posed for some photographs for a man named David Leppenraub (Colm Feore). With a couple of other strokes of luck, Romulus finds himself invited to a party at Leppenraub's home, and impresses the photographer with his views on his work. He also starts to ask David's sister, Moira (Ann Magnuson), and his assistant, Joey (Jay Rodan), about David's work, and about him personally.

Because of his earlier answer, Romulus finds it hard to get the police to believe he's onto something. Even his daughter, Lulu (Aunjanue Ellis), herself a police officer, needs convincing. A pair of men, who hide their identities with a facial wrap, throw scares into Romulus. After the scare, Lulu comes to the cave to make sure Romulus is okay. That leads to a showdown with the masked men. That showdown brings the police back on the case and to the aid of Romulus.

Part of the thrill of any mystery is the joy of discovery. That is very much the case of "The Caveman's Valentine." This film reminded me of a couple of other recent releases: "The Pledge," where Jack Nicholson played a retired cop driven to obsession with a case, and "Unbreakable," in which Jackson starred as a man who becomes obsessed with the life of a man who's the sole survivor of a train wreck. "The Caveman's Valentine," though, is more complex and fascinating than either of these other fine films. Romulus is clearly an intelligent man, but is haunted by an invisible enemy and nagging voices of doubt, which are personified in a woman named Sheila (Tamara Tunie), who may be, in reality, his estranged wife. Romulus is a man with both a reality and an alternate reality, and is never firmly entrenched in either world.

Romulus Ledbetter becomes one of the litany of most memorable roles for Jackson. He brings both intensity and sympathy to his portrayal. Romulus's intellect is matched by his insanity. He's a man in touch with his extremes, and knows when to not be too intrusive. For example, he drops in on a young businessman (Anthony Michael Hall) who has befriended him. When he realizes the man is throwing a formal party, Romulus gets a drink, makes a toast to the host and his guests, and then leaves, excusing his intrusion. He also has the good fortune of meeting intellectuals who deal with him with patience and understanding. While he has fine support, Jackson is in command of this film from start to finish.

"The Caveman's Valentine" is a superb sophomore effort from director Kasi Lemmons, who also directed Jackson in her previous effort, "Eve's Bayou." She complements Jackson's performance with views of the world from Romulus's eyes. Sometimes the images are fuzzy and come at a frenetic pace, yet they look convincing and fascinating. She shows the Chrysler Building surrounded by a green glow, with green lights that shoot in Romulus's direction. Lemmons, with the help of George Dawes Green's script (which is adapted from his novel), helps to bring Romulus's world into focus for the audience.

"The Caveman's Valentine" is the journey of a man who is, in so many ways, not where he wants to be. He's a man who needs answers - and needs help. This film shows Samuel L. Jackson in a performance that is among his best and most riveting. Romulus is a man who receives a most unpleasant valentine. He seeks answers to its source, and finds the real valentines are to be found in the people he meets who care about him. "The Caveman's Valentine" is the best film I have seen so far this year. It's a mystery whose rewards go far beyond any sort of resolution. It's a creative wonder that is seldom found in films lately.

Recommended: Yes

Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age