The Critical Frog: The 100-Year Old Man Who Jumped Out The Window And Disappeared

Here I am at the Minneapolis Foreign Film Festival. I visited here over spring break and spent some time knocking around the Mall of America before heading down to the city to witness the opening night spectacle, the film of this review. I waited over 30 minutes in a line for tickets. It was totally worth it- not only for the film, but to be the first critic in America to review it. Yes, this post is literally the equivalent of those annoying "First" comments on YouTube, with the addition of some actual substance.

There is a scene in this film where an elderly man ties hot dogs to a pile of explosives. He uses this to lure out the fox that killed his cat and blow it sky-high. It takes place in the first 5 minutes of the film. This is a movie that doesn't waste any time telling you how seriously it's going to take itself.

The 100-Year Old Man Who Jumped Out The Window And Disappeared plays out somewhat like Forrest Gump: Allan, a 100-year old alcoholic and explosives expert, is placed in a retirement home. He does not like it, and after jumping out the window (not so much 'jumping' as 'slowly climbing', though), he takes what little money he has and wanders the countryside. The man accidentally winds up with 50 million dollars in a suitcase, and attracts the attention of a dangerous biker gang. As he runs and hides, he retells his experiences of the past. 

Yes, it seems like the old man has a Gump-like past himself, trying to make it through life whilst stumbling into people and experiences. Somehow, though, Allan's life makes Gump's pale- while Forrest may meet a president, Allan gets the opportunity to not only meet two presidents but to have a drunken dance party with Josef Stalin. 

The old man eventually meets comrades willing to travel with him: A fellow elder and drinking buddy, a college student, a girl and an elephant, who all eventually agree to travel with him (in exchange for some of the money, of course). But the gang who wants the funds back is always on their tail, and the gang is forced to stop them with...indifference.

Yes, any and all deaths in the movie are completely by accident. The entire reason the bikers get mad is because Allan's old buddy forgot to turn off the freezer. It isn't even until the end of the film that they even realize they're in danger.

Also adding to the mix you have a detective who is chasing Allan as a runaway, the remnants of the biker gang, a train station clerk, a mob boss and a jealous ex. As jumbled as this sounds, the screenplay somehow ties it together with some tossed but believable coincidences. 

I like this film, I really do. The acting is great (a lot of it was improv), the story is fun, the comedy is great, and the characters are memorable. This is the director's first try at making a film. Keep it up, Felix, and you'll go places.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

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There's a special feeling you get when you're the first one to clap. Like you're giving something the special recognition it truly deserves. And this one really deserves it. It's comedy genius.

Forrest Gump meets old people. A lighthearted comedy that pulls all the right strings and portrays the senile character with a certain charm and dignity. It's a great watch, and I do hope it gets some more release outside of Europe. Personally, I may check it out again myself.