'The Caveman's Valentine' Director: Kasi Lemmons Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Colm Feore, Aunjanue Ellis MPAA Rating: R, for language, some violence and some sexuality Where: Denis Theater, Mt Lebanon

Romulus is homeless and lives in a cave somewhere in New York City's Central Park. But if you call him homeless, he'll immediately correct you by saying, "I'm not homeless, I live in a cave."

However, Romulus didn't always live in a cave. In fact, he once was a productive and respected member of society, and even had a wife and child. But somewhere along the line, he became a paranoid schizophrenic, and his life fell apart.

Romulus still can write music and play the piano, but his illness fills his head with delusions and hallucinations - he hears voices, watches the news on a TV set that isn't plugged in and is convinced there's some omnipotently powerful man plotting against him from the top floor of the Empire State Building.

So when Romulus discovers the dead body of a young homeless man outside his cave on Valentine's Day, nobody will believe his theory that the victim was murdered by a famous photographer named Leppenraub (Colm Feore), who has a penchant for sadomasochism.

Most of "The Caveman's Valentine" concerns Romulus' unauthorized investigation, which causes him to rub elbows with some of society's elite.

He first meets a wealthy bankruptcy lawyer (Anthony Michael Hall) who's so impressed by Romulus' piano playing that he gives him a clean suit and allows him to bathe in his home - Romulus knows he'll have to look presentable if he's to be accepted in Leppenraub's artsy circle.

This clash of social stratas is the most intriguing aspect of "The Caveman's Valentine," but this theme isn't explored nearly enough. And since the film fails as a character study, much of it plays like a routine whodunit, minus any suspense.

There's also a subplot that's as contrived as it is predictable in which Romulus tries to re-establish a relationship with his police-officer daughter (Aunjanue Ellis), who has long found him to be an embarrassment. The fact that his daughter just happens to be a cop seems false.

"The Caveman's Valentine" features another good, intense performance by Jackson, but the film often drags and sorely lacks intensity.

Leisurely floating from scene to scene, this oddball misfire was directed by Kasi Lemmons, who previously directed Jackson in the vastly overrated "Eve's Bayou" (1997).