book life martin donovan plays jesus shows jfk airport december  usher new millennium battling thomas jay ryan satan deciding fate world also david simonds kurt accountant amateur compulsive homeless gamblerbr br as usual hartley creates surreal world beauty ordinary made strange otherworldly flows artfullyframed scenes urbanindustrial landscapes filled dazzling light shadow usual introduces seemingly incidental details early brings back later hilarious unexpected contextsthe humor simple giddy irrepressible hartley amazing ability build toward small rapturous moments simultaneously mundane outrageous usual creates tone jaded worldweary time vulnerable open honest moves within minutes uproarious humor language metaphysical poeticthe kind writing deadon perfect difficult hold back tears despite lack obvious emotion another awesome highly entertaining film book life shot a digital camera blurry effect sense celestial handinhand impending doom hyperawareness present fragile fleeting last moments hartleys films way prioritizing present unique effect compounds images wash across screen way first jarring becomes increasingly beautiful settle it final shot spectacular may sound precious film comedy makes fun even makes fun concept armageddon judgment day urbanity although actually quite profound moving lifeaffirming part lighthearted playful acting flawless terms kind subdued tone hartley developed films a tone people get prompts judge acting hollowthe people negative response peter greenaway always bound people respond film cynicism scornpeople put hartleys abrupt shifts see pretentious mannerist techniques time consider opinions dull callous fools anyone hartley fan love filmif get chance see it is hard say would like video