The Last Stop For Paul

Urban myths extend to the world in this documentary style  travel movie.  In the movie, Cliff decided to take his much traveled co-worker, Charlie, up on his constant offers of adventure.  But there are two conditions;  it has to be around the world and he wants to bring his friend Paul.  Trouble is, Paul is in an urn.  After transferring Paul's ashes into a thermos, the two hit the road.

This is the thin premise for what really is a collection of crazy travel stories.  We all have them.  Those moments when your trip takes a sudden left turn towards crazy.

The fascinating aspect of this film is that the director is also the lead actor and the cinematographer plays his sidekick.  They shot without a crew, casting as they went along.  In scenes where you see both actors, more than likely they enlisted a passerby to hold the camera.  There are clips of this process during the credits and it amazing.  They filmed the movie just as we move through life, fluid and spur of the moment.

The movie also made me think about how I would want to be remembered when I am gone.  Would I want a friend to sprinkle my ashes all over the world?   It seems like such an authentic gesture.  If like Charlie in "Last Stop for Paul" it inspires a friend to travel for the first time, then I'd be honored.  In all honestly, however, I'd rather take a trip with you now so we can share the experience.  I'd rather my friends look back on photos of adventures we had together and remember me with a smile in their heart.