Lost in Transportation

This movie is, on one level, a day in the life of what a baggage handler, Joe Schlepp, played by Joe Hansard, has to go through when he has to return lost baggage to customers. But on another level, it reveals how human beings can be at their worst, and then, when one least expects it, how the human spirit can soar beyond one's expectations. Each scene is shot and edited with an eye toward detail; the dialog is written with the same detail. This movie must be seen more than once to appreciate the beauty that the director, cinematographer, editor and writer contributed to this film. The narrator's pacing throughout the movie is perfect. Hansard also narrates throughout the film in the first person. Hansard's portrayal of Joe Schlepp is right on target, as are all the cast members in this movie. They all do a top notch job. I loved this movie.

Limitations increase creativity and Lost in Transportation is living proof of that. The shoestring budget is obvious through the wardrobes and locations but the small story has a big heart. Joe Hansard does an excellent job playing a reserved Joe Schlepp while Frederick Strother is convincing as Hansard's mentor and friend. Joy Haynes shines as the bubbly and cordial Miss Randallstown while Pete Bergen rounds out the cast as the quintessential overbearing manager. At times a slice of life and at other moments surrealistic; this short film packs an insidious punch and makes for a worthwhile view.

Schlepp is hoping to transcend the quagmire of luggage that unfortunately defines his predictable life. Fred is Schlepp's co-worker; dispensing advice on how to mentally survive the Sisyphean efforts of their thankless jobs and deal with their ubiquitous manager. Unknowingly for Schlepp, his future is looking brighter. The very luggage he despises might be his salvation. Life isn't so bad after all, even if you do have baggage.

The basic story is one that anyone and everyone can relate to. I mean we've all been there, at least i was so into the film that i got lost in the hero character alone. I met Joe in Canada where we took a summer program together and performed in front of an audience. Joe had explained to me his stand-up comedy background. As I watched the film I was taken aback by the seriousness of the main character, I know Joe as a very funny guy and was impressed with the story, the acting, and the overall presentation. He took a different turn with this project, and I'm proud of his achievement. We can expect great things from this man. Way to go Joe. Congratulations.

Many things have been said about "Lost In Transportation". "Mistitled" is one of them. But even if this film had been called "Samsonite and Delilah", "Luggage's Labours Lost" or "Runway Bride", it would still score the target of poignancy that Carl Schultz had mentioned in his comments.

But I must differ with Monsieur Schultz on a couple of points. One is on the character of Fred. Fred Strother, as Fred, provides the pragmatic counterpoint to the untainted humanity of Joe Hansard's Schlepp. As the French say, Fred est nous, "he is us". The compromises of the proletariat are embodied in his character, imposed by a materialistic system. As a symbol of the worker he is not a man whom one would despise, but a man whom one would trust to build their patio deck.

As far as Schultz's reference to Chaplin, I dare to suggest that Hansard stands on his own without need of the diminishing of Chaplin's relevance. There are aspects of Chaplin's tramp that have always been unlikable: his arrogance, his ego, his effortless weight control. Hansard is unburdened by these qualities.

If I may take a cue from the Cahiers du Cinema, and coin a phrase, I would describe the genre to which this film belongs as "Marty"dom, after the classic film starring Ernest Borgnine. Joe is in the same company as Emil Jannings in "The Last Laugh", Jackie Gleason in "Gigot", and Dom De Luise in "Cannonball Run II".

It's a humane genre, about "non-persons", or so-called "nobodies". Mother Theresa once said that the poor were "Jesus approaching us in disguise". The nobodies are Jesus auditioning for "Fear Factor". But if you're walking down the street sometime, and spot some nobody's ancient eyes, and don't just pass 'em by and stare, as if you didn't care, and say "Hello in there", what will you find? Well, usually a sullen, ill-mannered, superstitious lout capable of exploding into a homicidal rampage. But in discovering Joe Schlepp, the audience for this film will find a heart of gold. A true heart of gold. Neil Young should see this flick.

Enough jokes. Seriously, what stands out about this film is its collection of talent. Veteran, workaday talent who have put together a project on their terms, in their voice, after paying their dues in the local theater, television and film scene of the Washington, D.C. area.

When more films like this are made about people, rather than formulas, the actors, directors and editors like the ones who made this film will no longer be taken for granted, and properly appreciated for keeping movies human.

This is an excellent indie short, a comedy that has its laugh out loud moments balanced with a real sense of pathos.

It's the story of Joe Schlepp, a Joe Nobody, a pathetic but lovable loser, his dead end job, and his quest to find an answer to the question, "How can I get people to stop yelling at me?"

In playing Schlepp, star/writer/director/editor Joe Hansard, even in his voice-over narrations, gives the audience plenty to laugh at, plenty of Schadenfreude, but at the same time really gets us rooting for his endearing Schlepp.

The supporting performances are also very good and the film as a whole is really tightly put together -- it's hard to think of a throwaway line, or a moment that isn't at least a little bit amusing. I particularly liked the unexpected direction the film moves in as it nears the end. It's also worth watching through the credits for a few last funny/sad shots of our hero.

What I like about this movie is similar to what I like in movies like Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Sideways, Donnie Darko, Ghost World, like those of Jim Jarmusch, John Waters. If you like intelligent, quirky, offbeat funny movies, there are certainly worse ways to spend 17 minutes than getting lost in Lost in Transportation.