In case you missed it … ‘On the Road with Judas’

‘On the Road with Judas‘ (2007) is a peculiar little film, written and directed by J.J. Lask. It’s kind of difficult to explain exactly what this movie is about or exactly what happens in the movie and why. The story follows two New York guys, who grew up stealing all sorts of stuff from antique door knobs to valuable paintings. Now Judas lives a second adult life of stealing people’s computers to support his business endeavors.

The film tells it’s story in a very unique way, jumping from one chapter of the character’s story to another, from one character’s point of view to another and inter-cutting between the version of himself from his book, to the version of himself in the movie adaptation of his book and so on. The story as a whole revolves around a talk show in which Judas is being interviewed, in addition to the other characters from his book. ‘On the Road with Judas’ could be called a quasi-docu-dramedy that melds the “real” world with the variant worlds of created reality.

The style of the movie can be a bit overwhelming to a viewer who approaches it with the casual intent of letting it wash over them. While this movie is entertaining, it does require a level of concentration that does pay off if you’re willing to ride it out. If you’ve seen ‘I Heart Huckabees’ or any number of Michel Gondry movies, you’ll probably like ‘On the Road with Judas’… just maybe not as much as a Michel Gondry film.

Judas has a preoccupation, perhaps even a slight obsession with Van Halen (of the David Lee Roth years). The old school Mac computer has a nostalgically cool role in the movie as well. There’s an intimate, getting to know a close friend better than you though sort of feel to it as it delves into topics of romantic relationships and the internal question of how one lives a “moral” life.

The acting is low-key and sincere and the various players mesh well together. The cinematography is ever-so-slightly washed out but maintains a subdued but colorful palette that compliments the colorful story. Simple special effects scenes of stolen items floating in mid-air as if on display pop up between segments adding an element of surrealism, which is also enhanced by the film’s great soundtrack.

‘On the Road with Judas’ stars Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Pie), Aaron Ruell (Napoleon Dynamite), Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express), Alex Burns (Garden State), Amanda Loncar, Leo Fitzpatrick and Eleanor Hutchins. The movie is based on the book of the same title, written by J.J. Lask and is available on DVD.

DVD Features:

• Director’s Commentary
• Theatrical Trailer
• Deleted Scenes