The Man Who Fell to Earth [R]

Travelling by the name of Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien lands on Earth and, using his vastly superior knowledge, he builds a lucrative empire, one that outweighs every other technological company. However, no one can really guess the real purpose of his visit: to save his planet from a terrible death by drought. Whilst planning his return home, Newton falls prey to human vices, and as the years roll by, his chance of his mission’s success slips further and further out of reach. 

The Book’s opening statement on this film is word for word true: “Nicholas Roeg’s 1976 science fiction story was and is often misunderstood.” I completely agree. This is the second time that I’ve seen this movie and I’m only just beginning to realise what the movies is about and what themes it focuses on: themes of the outsider, homesickness, loneliness, and the basic nature of humans. It’s a very sophisticated film that was really ahead of its time and its audience in the 70s and, in recent years, has become quite cult. 

Travelling by the name of Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien lands on Earth and, using his superior intelligence, he builds a lucrative empire, one that outweighs every other technological company in America. However, no one can really guess the true purpose of his visit: to save his planet from a terrible death by drought. Whilst planning his return home, Newton falls prey to human vices, alcohol in particular, and as the years roll by, his chance for the success of his mission slips further and further out of reach. 

The Man Who fell to Earth is a really interestingly made film whose audience confusions and misunderstandings are aroused mainly by the constant fragmented jumping from planet to planet, fast progressions through time and space, and unexplained plot. The basic purpose of Newton’s travels is shown to us, but never really told, and I find this a clever technique as it leaves much room for interpretation and imagination. On the other hand, it makes the movie incredibly hard to dissect and conclude anything solid from, but what makes a good movie is n the eye of the beholder. 

With great performances from David Bowie, Rip Torn, Candy Clark, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey, Jackson D. Kane, Rick Riccardo, Tony Mascia, Linda Hutton, Hilary Holland, Adrienne Larussa, Lilybelle Crawford, Richard Breeding, Albert Nelson, and Peter Prouse, The Man Who Fell to Earth is an engaging film filled with aliens, technology, sex, alcohol, and memorable gadgets. It was a great film, but I don’t think I could have it in my collection.