Starman [PG]

After the launch of a package into space harbouring music and greetings in all the languages of Earth, the invitation to visit is accepted by a starman from a neighbouring realm of the galaxy. He lands with only three days to travel to a rendezvous point in Arizona and observe humankind along the way. The lady chosen to help him get there is Jenny Haydn, a widow startled into the journey by the starman’s appearance as her dead husband. What she first perceives as a kidnapping soon turns into a wondrous and romantic adventure as the two try to outrun the army and the scientists out looking for the starman. 

A change of pace from director John Carpenter whom we know for The Thing, Halloween and other horror features, Starman is a beautiful and romantic science fiction movie that just glides along with a speed and captivation that is remarkable. The visual experience of this movie is akin to floating in calm, but still wavy waters: remaining still for a minute and slowly rising, peaking, and then descending. It’s really lovely. 

After the launch of a package into space harbouring music and greetings in all the languages of Earth, the invitation to visit is accepted by a starman from a neighbouring realm of the galaxy. He lands with only three days to travel to a rendezvous point in Arizona and observe humankind along the way. The lady chosen to help him get there is Jenny Haydn, a widow startled into the journey by the starman’s appearance as her dead husband. What she first perceives as a kidnapping soon turns into a wondrous and romantic adventure as the two try to outrun the army and the scientists out looking for the starman. 

I think what is most glorious about this movie is its remarkable balance. The right levels of drama, action, danger, romance, and comedy are hit with a bullseye and Carpenter displays a true talent for depicting otherworldly-ness with a certain beauty and creativeness. Special effects are kept to a happy medium, thus when they do come to fruition in the film’s more climactic moments they’re a real knock out, a tad dated by today’s standards but nonetheless beautiful and captivating. 

Whilst the story itself is a staple of the science fiction genre, the romance and the emotional journey that takes place parallel to the physical journey brings the film up to a new level, making it all the more remarkable. 

Jeff Bridges as the starman delivers an intriguing performance; innocent, uncertain, and curious, but not in a childish or Neanderthal type way. He doesn’t lumber into bouts of trouble, but saunters and you can see the cogs working as his curiosity compels him forward. It’s really gorgeous. 

Starring Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaekel, Robert Phalen, Tony Edwards, John Walter Davis, David Wells, and Ted White, Starman is a beautiful movie that’s filled with action, adventure, romance, drama, and comedy. It’s completely mesmerising from the get-go and I would recommend it because it holds something for everyone in the audience. It’s really lovely.