Jump Tomorrow (2001) [PG]

A sweet little indie movie, Jump Tomorrow has a European sensibility to it. Although it takes place in upstate New York, most of the characters are from other countries.

Shy George (Tunde Adebimpe), a Nigerian, is about to take part in an arranged marriage. On his way to his wedding, he comes across Gerard (Hippolyte Girardot), a Frenchman, who is about to jump off the roof to kill himself because he has been turned down on his marriage proposal. George suggests he jump tomorrow, which becomes the theme of the movie.

George also meets Alicia (Natalia Verbeke), a Spanish woman. For him, it is love at first sight. He can't stop thinking about her and imagines her and himself in funny, overdramatic romantic scenes from novellas. Ever the romantic, Gerard convinces George to follow Alicia, although she is traveling with her boyfriend. Will George win Alicia's heart?

This is an enjoyable movie. You will find yourself smiling as you watch, and still smiling hours after it is over. It is fun to watch the various cultures as both Alicia and George are traveling to their families and communities. This is a comedy, light and frothy, very different from the usual romantic comedies put out by Hollywood.

DIRECTOR: Joel Hopkins.  CAST: Tunde Adebimpe, Natalia Verbeke, Hippolyte Girardot, James Wilby, Patricia Maureci, Isiah Whitlock, Jr.

AWARDS: 3 wins and 6 nominations.