Absurdistan has more than a little bit of magic at its heart; it's a tale of love and perseverance, gently winking at its happy viewers.

Writer-director Veit Helmer creates a wildly imaginative world worthy of Gabriel Garca Mrquez at his most playful, drenching it in vivid color and a Slavic sense of bleak humor.

Despite its comedic limitations, this film is up to more than its American adolescent counterparts.

Once you've seen 20 minutes of this film, you can pretty much predict where it's going to go and how it's going to get there. There's little doubt, however, that you'll chuckle heartily along the way.