Caddy's Pandemic Traveling

Bruce Von Sties

The recent pandemic took its toll on a lot of different social norms. People who used to walk freely among crowds of others were discouraged from doing so. In a lot of areas, it was strictly forbidden to assemble in groups of more than a handful of people. And just about everywhere people were required to mask up. Of course, you pretty much know all of this.

One film I just watched explores a bit of the temptation to not follow the rules. In fact, to blatantly flaunt pandemic rules. Throw in a meditation cult leader, a self-imposed pandemic watchdog, a couple struggling through life and a man looking for his son and you have a strange but very interesting film.

The title of the film is Traveling Light. It was produced and directed by Bernard Rose. He also wrote the screenplay for the film. Among his previous works are the classic horror films, Candyman, and The Devil's Violinist. The executive producer was Jeremy Thomas. The other executive producers were S. Leigh Savidge and Stephen A. Housden. Xenon Pictures was the production company for the film.

The film opens in Los Angeles on May 30 th , 2020. The city is like the rest of the world during the pandemic, trying to figure things out. The streets are fairly empty and not a lot of people are going places. One exception is Caddy. He is an older guy who makes a living as a ride share driver. Along with transporting people around, Caddy is also looking for his son, Cecil, who is living on the streets. Caddy is trying to be safe by wearing his mask at all times. But he also has some kind of voodoo juju bag and a small bottle of holy water to aid in his attempts to avoid getting COVID.

As Caddy is moving around the city, picking up riders, the audience is introduced to Harry. He is a charismatic man, who apparently is some kind of mediation and enlightenment guru. He broadcasts his meditation sessions to a wide audience.

Two of his audience are Todd and Mary. Harry has invited Todd to some kind of spiritual event. But apparently Harry doesn't want Mary to attend. Which is kind of strange, because we learn that Mary is the one who introduced Todd to Harry.

Caddy picks up Harry and drops him off at a house on Mulholland Drive. Apparently this is where the gathering will be held. Harry meets and hangs out with some people at the house, waiting for the other participants to show up.

I had mentioned that Harry was some kind of guru. Well, whatever he calls his shtick, it's kind of weird. He snaps his fingers sometimes like a 1950's Beat poet. And then he does this TM kind of meditation spiel.

As Caddy moves through the streets, looking for his son, he continues to pick up riders. In the meantime there is Arthur, who is watching a young woman on video. He then goes outside and meets with Gretchen. Together they are putting up fliers and signs, cautioning people to wear masks and social distance.

There are several segments of the film showing different people. How those people connect is that somehow, they all have been invited and attend Harry's little gathering. There is Clara, who is seeking something interesting in life. So, she may find it at the gathering. There are people like Sydney, Blue and Anne who aren't major characters in the film but add to the story.

There are some things at the party with Harry offering up a hallucinogenic drink to the gatherers and a possible hook-up between Todd and a couple of women there. And the people enraptured by Harry, as though he was just the greatest thing ever. Through a plot turn, Arthur ends up at the event, looking for evidence of people not social distancing.

Tony Todd is Caddy. From Platoon through Candyman and Final Destination, Todd has had a long and varied film and television career. Danny Houston is Harry. From films such as Aviator and Angel Has Fallen to recurring roles on shows like Yellowstone and Succession, Houston has almost one hundred screen credits. Included in those credits are eight as a director.

Stephen Dorff is Todd. From a season seven episode of Diff'rent Strokes to the leading role in the series Deputy, Dorff has seen a lot of screen time. That includes films such as Leatherface and I'll Find You. Matthew Jacobs is Arthur. In addition to roles in films like Vice, Jacobs is a noted screenwriter of several films. He also wrote a bunch of episodes of Young Indiana Jones.

Olivia D'Abo is Mary. From The Wonder Years to Jane The Virgin and a bunch of other television shows and films, D'Abo has amassed well over one hundred screen credits. Lena Gora is Clara. She was in Cops and Robbers and DJ. Gora also wrote and starred in a film currently making the film festival circuit, Roving Woman.

Rosie Fellner is Blue. Jen Kuhn is Anne. She has been in episodes of Castle and Scorpion along with many films. She also played the cello for several video game soundtracks and for films such as Black Adam. Vanessa Yuille is Gretchen. Besides acting in films such as Losing Her and Your Good Friend, Yuille has been the editor of several films and a director of a few more. Duke Nicholson is Sydney.

Also in the cast are Annicka Ekvall, Damon T. Davis, Nikki Bohm, Fatima Cortez-Todd, Cassie Dzienny, Stella Houston, Marie Louise Jones, Ryan Ross and Shermine Sharivar.

There was some interesting song in the soundtrack. Some of the songs were Traveling Light, Melrose and Slut. They were performed by Ivo Dimchev. Other songs in the film were The Stars And Me and Finally. They were written and performed by Ruby Jean Rose. There was also Beethoven's Cello Sonata No. 5, Opus 102 No. 2 with cello by Jen Kuhn and piano by Bernard Rose. There songs written and performed by Michael & Jahna Perricone and a Schubert sonata with Bernard Rose on piano.

One thing that I didn't mention earlier was the camera work. It seemed like pretty much all of the film was done with a handheld camera. Watching the film, you kind of got an up and personal feel from the camera work. As if you were actually there watching things unfold.

Traveling Light is a drama with certain comedic moments. Some of Harry's antics are funny, yet pretty bizarre. There is a realization that Caddy might not ever find his son, but he's got to keep trying. And the angst of people not social distancing, not wearing masks and ignoring other pandemic protocols is well reflected by Arthur's words and actions.

I wasn't too sure I was going to like Traveling Light. But the characters seemed real, probably too real. Even Harry, who's cult leader type persona made sense in a bizarre sort of way. I found myself sympathizing with Arthur, but somehow Harry's gathering seemed like it would be a really cool place to hang out at. The film also adds the George Floyd protests into the mix, but as support for the story and not the main focus.

And the film had a surprise ending that I didn't even come close to seeing happen.

If you want a drama with quirky, comedic moments dealing with the pandemic and a charismatic cult leader, then Traveling Light should be on your watch list.

Traveling Light is available on VOD on platforms such as amazon.com.

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© 2023 Bruce E Von Stiers