Jericho Mansions

I agree with the previous comment regarding this film as an attempt to merge European sensibilities .. and I might I say, as a genre piece this works very well. Much better than most of the studio crap being tossed about. I felt Mr. Caan's performance was intense and incendiary; tragic and tortured.

I was impressed by this film. If you enjoy fantastic, interesting cinematography and the lush pulp of a thriller picture, I highly recommend this one. That said, it does have its limitations. But it is an effectively powerful flick overall. I feel what has been referred to as "roller coaster" cinematography and moving the camera as these filmmakers have done, established a visual empowerment for the viewer that makes this seemingly direct-to-video indie a compelling watch.

The most accurate description of this film is to say it is a cross between Roman Polanski's "The Tenant" and Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet's "Delicatessen." Though not quite as successful as either of those two films, it is nonetheless worth checking out. Despite a few holes in the story and some derivative film-making, there is much of interest here. The art direction is fine, James Caan's performance is quite good, Genevieve Bujold and Jennifer Tilley are lots of fun, and the director is quite astute at making the apartment building a character in itself. Overall the film has a surreal, haunting quality that resonates long after viewing.

There seems to be several pieces missing in this puzzle. A phone call from a sister intensifies a landlady's inexplicable mistreatment of her slow agoraphobic building superintendent. The butt of jokes among the local cops, she once again accuses him of theft but nothing is ever found. But after thirty years, the super's confusing dreams of what appears to be a bad spaghetti western suddenly come into focus when he becomes the focal point of a brutal murder. Has he murdered someone while sleepwalking? The tenants bear witness to his wild swings of passivity and passion.

Wildly confusing at times, it all becomes crystal clear in the end when we discover why the landlady is sure the super has been stealing from her for years. When at last, he comes to understand who and what he is, will he actually know what it is he wants? When the ones who desert it, get what they deserve, will he get what he wants and deserves? For those who willing pay attention and stick this movie out, they will enjoy having all their questions answered.

In the world of international cinema, with various countries cultures and actors beginning to have an increased presence on screens internationally, Jericho Mansions is an admirable attempt to merge European sensibility with American storytelling. While unlikely to win major awards, it does deserve some recognition for its professional production design, imaginative steady-cam work and world-class visual effects.

"Jericho Mansions" is a seriously eccentric indie thriller with a surprising amount going for it. Acting heavyweights James Caan and Geneviève Bujold are both featured in inspired late career turns. Caan gives a nuanced, intricate performance as the mistreated handyman for an apartment building. Bujold reaches for the rafters as a wrathful landlord that despises Caan and wants to see him put away. They're really fun to watch together, with the always welcome bonus of Jennifer Tilly to add to the camp and surreality.

In addition to the strong performances, this arty film sports an elaborate visual style that punches way beyond its meager budget. There's even unusually effective use of CGI to explore the building's cavernous interiors. There's probably a little too much going on in this very ambitious movie: it can be tough to keep track of the apartment dwellers and their significance to the story. Still, things wrap up with a bang (!) and I was thoroughly satisfied.