Just screened this film last night, been in my head much of the morning -- I haven't decided whether that's a good thing or not. The film stutter-starts from black. As if the beginning reel is missing. I like it. We, as the audience, are thrown into a taxi with an old gruff man expressing a strange request (Willem) and a seemingly happy carefree cabbie from Senegal (Solo).

It appears that Willem wants only to close off the loose ends of his life, while Solo fears the worst and seeks to head Willem off at the pass (so to speak). It's an enticing premise that carries the movie along nicely. While the interactions between these two tasty personalities warm the picture and lift it into the realm of special. Kudos to the dialogue, actors and straight-forward cinematography for creating this sweet experience.

However, by the hour mark the film drops its pace a notch while climbing somberly its supposed peak. At this point, propelled mainly by the promise of an emotional climax, the wind up, in its acute subtly, belies that climb. With such a subtle climax, I'm left wondering not only about resolutions, but also the character arcs. What did our main characters learn, if anything? I see the opportunity here for the lessons to be all on the part of Solo. If I stretch a bit, I can define some potent stuff. But, perhaps this is just a matter of taste, I would have preferred more definition to be in the picture itself.

Also, Willem planned to fly, and Solo to become a flight attendant -- just a coincidence?

I'm torn between a B and B+, will round up.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --