Looking for the Jackalope

A man's journey back to where he came from. Really heartfelt and well done. I LOVED it! It was so good on so many levels, The writing and direction was impeccable. The actors were stellar.

Some years ago, I was asked to participate as a judge in a film festival and since then I've had a partiality to small, independent films. Karl Shefelman's "Looking for the Jackalope" is such a film, an engaging cautionary tale about a man returning to his 20-year college reunion in pursuit of romance. As the main character, a writer, takes a crazy, hilarious road trip across several states to reach his reunion, his dreams of an old romance become a beacon guiding him to his destination. He has a friend, Dr. Jim, (a great performance by Larry Clarke) who offers assistance and advice along the way. When he finally reaches the college, the reunion is spectacularly normal with a great nod to the generational variety of classes that attends these events.

This is not really a happy ending movie, but more of a resolve of the character's ambition with a Jackalope mentoring him along the way.

An interesting aside: Shefelman lists all the extras in the credits at the end of the movie. The recognition of everyone in involved in the endeavor of making this movie appealed to me.

Excellent twists that I'm still thinking about long after seeing this film. Beautiful scenery and a fun tale of finding oneself in the journey from past to present.

Well developed characters that draw you into their lives. Definitely recommend. Laugh out loud and unconventional is the best possible way. Comedy and drama, well-written, excellent cinematography, and superb acting. Put this gem on your watch list!

I just finished watching Looking for the Jackalope, and it's freaking GREAT!

I LOVED this film, it was really fun, and then quite profound in the end. It's so funny, I was laughing out loud. At first the character Jordan (Michael Leydon Campbell) is SO cringeworthy, such a loser that your thinking, "come on, man, really?"

Then it builds to such a raucous, hilarious and noble ending. Really well directed, really well cast and superbly acted - I was looking at all the little nuances of body language.

Larry Clarke as Doctor Jim is bloody great, and the subtlety of Meissa Hampton's performance as Jennifer is inspired.

Mary Testa as the no-nonsense, down-to-earth agent is also excellent.

The only difference between this and a big hit comedy is STARS. If this was Will Farrell or Ben Stiller and John Goodman (or Josh whoever) it would be a studio picture.

It's every bit as funny as Albert Brooks' Lost in America - and that's funny - so if you liked that, you'll love this.

I don't know much about filmmaking, but I know when I enjoy a good film, and I would recommend Looking for the Jackalope to anyone who enjoys intelligent, grown-up comedies.