A curious alien (Jeff Bridges) responds to the Voyager spacecraft’s invitation to visit Earth, lands in Wisconsin and takes the form of Jenny Hayden’s (Karen Allen) late husband in this romantic road movie with a cosmic twist.
John Carpenter’s religious sci-fi parable has as much heart and emotion as it does special effects, and gives Oscar-nominated Bridges a real chance to stretch his acting talent as the extraterrestrial eager to learn about human existence.
Jenny and her alien embark on a journey through America and its iconography. Her visitor has three days to enjoy the offerings of the planet, and then head back home via a meteor crater in Arizona.
On the journey, he is introduced to the idiosyncratic ways of earthlings and to the peculiar benefits of their lives: love, sex, music, diversity and apple pie.
As the trip takes in Americana – hamburgers, handguns, diners, baseball caps, one-armed bandits, mobile homes, rednecks, hot rods and highways – the film makes a game attempt to present both a glimpse of the dark side of the dream and a hearty cheer for America.
Funny, suspenseful and moving – have those tissues ready for the heart-rending climax – this engaging space odyssey is one of Carpenter’s best efforts.
Starman
Jeff Bridges Jenny Hayden
Karen Allen Mark Shermin
Charles Martin Smith George Fox
Richard Jaeckel Major Bell
Robert Phalen Sergeant Lemon
Tony Edwards Brad Heinmuller
John Walter Davis
Director
John Carpenter
Related Posts
Terminator, The (1984) Arnold Schwarzenegger finally found a role perfectly tailored to his superb physique and limited acting talent, in one of the…
Straight Time (1978) Dustin Hoffman stars as Max Dembo, a small-time crook recently released on parole after six years in prison. After a…
Rhinestone (1984) Contrary to popular belief, Sylvester Stallone does have the knack for comedy, albeit in a light form. However, he frequently…
Seventh Seal, The (1957) Shot in only 35 days, The Seventh Seal is a medieval morality tale which powerfully depicts the cruelties of the time such…
Star Trek: First Contact (1996) By inventing the warp drive, Zefram Cochrane (James Cromwell) attracts the attention of the Vulcan civilisation to Earth's presence. Spock-eared ambassadors…
Meatballs Part II (1984) The sequel-in-name-only to the first Meatballs summer camp movie (1979) takes place at Camp Sasquash where the owner, Coach Giddy…
Shimmering Light (1978) This Australian made-for-TV movie presented 29-year-old American dropout Kevin Pearse (Beau Bridges) who decides to pursue his love of surfing…
She (1965) This fantasy adventure from Hammer was based on H Rider Haggard's classic novel. The story, which begins in Jerusalem in…
