If anyone can take a movie which involves extraterrestrials coming to our planet and close the door on the sci-fi elements of the story, it's John Carpenter. The films relationship to outer space is quickly closed off and the film's focus becomes the relationship between humanity and alien-life as it exists in a complicated relationship of love. Jenny Hayden (played by Karen Allen) finds it difficult to accept that her late husband's image is being used by an alien so it can stay somewhat undercover from our government forces. After Jenny discovers that Starman means her no harm and the alien desperately needs to get him before Earth's elements kill him. Jenny becomes sympathetic towards him and even begins to fall in love. The question that remains is whether or not, with the aid of Jenny, Starman can return home safely.
Obviously when you require a human actor to successfully portray a visitor from another planet while in a human body, one needs to choose a talented cast. The acting by Jeff Bridges is exquisite as he is able to show how understanding and misunderstanding the English language as well as facial expressions impacts the level of success in regards to communication. With his limited knowledge of the English language and his unfamiliarity with human expressions, Bridges must portray a being that not only does not understand but does not become frustrated with the complexities of human behavior.
This John Carpenter film differs from his other directing jobs simply because he does not use the same style and techniques that he frequently used in films such as Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, and the Fog. Despite being stripped of Carpenter's 'Carpenter-ness', the film is shot very well and keeps it simple. The acting as well as the light-hearted story, carry this film, as opposed to Carpenter using his techniques in the aforementioned films to carry them to their respective conclusions. Overall, this film successfully portrays the love story, the sci-fi subtext, and human misunderstanding.
Obviously when you require a human actor to successfully portray a visitor from another planet while in a human body, one needs to choose a talented cast. The acting by Jeff Bridges is exquisite as he is able to show how understanding and misunderstanding the English language as well as facial expressions impacts the level of success in regards to communication. With his limited knowledge of the English language and his unfamiliarity with human expressions, Bridges must portray a being that not only does not understand but does not become frustrated with the complexities of human behavior.
This John Carpenter film differs from his other directing jobs simply because he does not use the same style and techniques that he frequently used in films such as Assault on Precinct 13, Halloween, and the Fog. Despite being stripped of Carpenter's 'Carpenter-ness', the film is shot very well and keeps it simple. The acting as well as the light-hearted story, carry this film, as opposed to Carpenter using his techniques in the aforementioned films to carry them to their respective conclusions. Overall, this film successfully portrays the love story, the sci-fi subtext, and human misunderstanding.