The Man Who Fell to Earth

Rating:
Summary: Possibly the best SF film ever
Review: Science fiction movies, like the literature with which they have an uneasy relationship, have long suffered from stereotyping and cookie-cutter plotting. In the 50s, it was monster movies; in the 70s, it was "Star Wars", "ET" and "Close Encounters"; warm and fuzzy with lots of action. More recently SF films such as "Demolition Man" have become vehicles for action stars. Real stories, particularly thoughtful adaptations of great SF books, are extremely rare.

This film, based on a superb novel by Walter Tevis (who also wrote "The Hustler" and its sequel, "The Color of Money"), is the story of an alien who comes to Earth to obtain water for his planet. By introducing superior technology he amasses a large fortune and develops a huge international corporation --- but develops addictions to both TV and alcohol and struggles with the isolation of living on a world where he doesn't belong.

Roeg's film is by no means as straightforward a narrative as the novel it's based on, and is definitely not for all viewers. There are virtually no special effects, keeping the focus where it belongs --- on the characters and story. However, some may be put off by the film's abstract approach; it does require several viewings to appreciate some of the subtle details Roeg packs into it.

Like "Blade Runner", this is a dense movie, although it doesn't have the visual flash. David Bowie's performance is astonishing (for the record, I was not a Bowie fan when I first saw this movie). Rip Torn, Buck Henry, and Candy Clark are equally superb in supporting roles.

If you're looking for dazzling visual effects and space battles, you won't find them here. However, if you enjoy great acting and a unique approach to storytelling, you'll find this movie easily rewards multiple viewings --- and gets better each time you watch it.

Now --- please re-release the DVD in anamorphic format!

Rating:
Summary: Bad Theatre
Review: It took me a week to watch 1/2 of this movie. I kept falling asleep. I thought it was going to be very cool with a sophisticated science fiction theme and David Bowie. Perhaps I will watch the rest of the movie someday.

Rating:
Summary: A story with only one true ending
Review: This film, as reviewed by many, is about a alien who comes to earth in an effort to find water for his drought ridden planet. However, it appears to me that the movie is not about a space traveler, but rather a time traveler from earth's future. The reasons which support this is that first; Bowie's character suffers from time shifts like when his limo is seen traveling down a country road in the past when such vehicles did not exist. Two; he was prone to motion sickness, like when he had a nose bleed from riding the elevator. The movie I found to be intriging. But he was not an alien, but a human from earth's future!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best flicks ever
Review: Bowie is superb as an alien, come to earth in search of water for his dying planet. Bowie is a natural as an actor, and as an alien. He makes me want to believe that he is not just a human like everyone else. I was actually jealous of Candy Clark's character, didn't think she was good enough for him... and yes, it has a very depressing end.. I wanted him to win in the end... one of the best flicks, and my favorite Bowie flick. Labyrinth is the second best.. but everything Bowie touches is excellent.

I highly recommend The Man Who Fell to Earth, to Sci-fi and Bowie fans alike.

Rating:
Summary: Loving the alien
Review: Jolly good stuff from Mr Roeg - director of The Witches - and Bowie is his usual fab self. That's all there is to say really.

Rating:
Summary: A Perfect Synopsis Of Bowie's life circa 1974-1976....
Review: This movie is brilliant most of all for offering Bowie-fans/viewer's a very subtle,clever overview of Bowie's psychological states after years of cocaine abuse following the demise of 'Ziggy'... His acting is very powerful,emotionally-wrought and compelling as hell. It's a wonderful visual counterpart for Bowie fans wishing to make a musical and personal understanding from where 'Diamond Dogs'/'Young Americans'/'Station To Station' led to the 'Low' album... This movie may very well be David Bowie's most-personal,involved and all-encompassing acting role yet. Any naysayers that should say Bowie is a vanity-actor; look no further than at this movie. It's a diary of his times as much as any of his mid-'70's albums. I got the movie the first time I saw it(I'm rather deep that way! :) ). Very good movie: ****

Rating:
Summary: Cracked Actor?
Review: An underrated film by Nic Roeg in which David Bowie plays 'himself' to a tee! Although not a patch on Walter Tevis' original novel, this 70s adaptation of a story about the human condition is compelling to say the least. On repeated viewing it becomes apparent that Thomas Jerome Newton is far more human than the humans surrounding him. Probably Bowie's finest moment on celuloid to date and certainly one of Roeg's too. A very interesting flourish.

Rating:
Summary: Horrid!
Review: Easily the worst movie I have ever seen. Nothing comes a close second

Rating:
Summary: beauty david bowie impresses
Review: This is the film to watch when the weather is bad, and you're in the mood for a little bit gloom and doom and low key atmosphere. Not that it really is a depressive film, but it leaves you... quiet. The best thing about this film, is David Bowie, who is not only a truely brilliant actor, but also the most beautiful man of this century. The sex scenes and almost every shot of him are a pleasure to the eye. David Bowie is perfect in the role as Thomas Jerome Newton. People who like Bowie's music too, will find an interesting link between Newton and Ziggy Stardust, and between the film and Bowie's career as singer/composer (in the 70s).

Rating:
Summary: Great movie, Bowie makes a great alien.
Review: This is a great movie! I watched the one that had been restored and had an extra 20 min. on it. I haven't seen the one without the 20 min. Hopefully it won't leave out much. I loved Bowie in all his other movies, he's a great actor and he really did well on this one. It has some cool songs in it too. I had to watch it twice to fully understand, but I didn't mind. It's a cool sci-fi movie and I'm sure people will love it!