Jules (I) (2023) User Reviews

Surprisingly charming

[AfricanBro · 7/10 · 13 August 2023]

It had subtle humor and I loved it. For some reason it was just me and a bunch of seemingly 40+ year old men in the theatre and were all just commentating which made me enjoy the movie a little more. It was a minimalist movie, especially as far as sci-fi movies go. I called Prospect a minimalist sci-fi but this made me feel like I mischaracterized it. It felt like a mature little version of the 2011 movie, Paul, which I haven't seen in years now.

It also feels a little lovely to see elderly people get their own movie in the genre(if there was one or more made already, I haven't seen them). Also Harriet Sansom Harris kept reminding me of Aunt Lydia from Handmaid's Tale and I couldn't unsee it. I also loved the irony of Milton stressing over his flowers and not the alien visitor, added a little charm to a character that was already a gem.

It, of course, still is a fiction movie but it was very realistic in regard to the story; capturing believable human behavior and reactions to the events that unfolded. It's paced pretty slow but I was still pretty fun, it's an unexpected gem of a movie. One thing that surprised me is it didn't feel like a sci-fi movie as well, you don't have to like the genre to enjoy this.

Jules looked like your typical alien being, bald, short with a big head and weird eyes, although not so green. Jules raising his hands in toddler-like gesture was soo cute and adorable too. It's a more touching film that I expected. It didn't end the way I expected, or atleast initially, there were probably two points at which the movie could've ended, but it didn't feel like a drag. It's not a movie for everyone, it's pretty simple and minimalistic. Opting for a more toned down vibe without grand climaxes, but despite that, I genuinely enjoyed its unassuming charm.

Very heartwarming tale with a few Easter eggs.

[runner-15 · 8/10 · 17 September 2023]

No mind blowing special effects, no earth shattering explosions, no car chases, just a slow burn quirky small town film with a lot of heart.

As someone with a lifelong love of Sci-Fi who is fast approaching retirement age I could identify with the characters in this film. Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Milton is spot on and the inclusion of. Jane Curtin, who was known for her role in the Conehead sketches as Prymaat, is a nice little Easter egg that may go unnoticed by some. Plus there are subtle references to E. T. Alf, Men In Black, and even tangentially, Flight of the Navigator, there may even be others I missed.

Many sci-fi fans are fast approaching the autumn of their lives, and far too many science fiction movies overlook this segment of their audience. Good intelligent science fiction featuring older actors and mature story lines are few and far between.

Though the plots are significantly different, this film somewhat reminded me of Robot & Frank (2012), staring Frank Langella and Susan Sarandon. If you like Jules I would recommend that you check out Robot & Frank.

pleasant and old fashioned storytelling

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 11 August 2023]

Greetings again from the darkness. Senior citizens sometimes nearly cease to exist for the outside world, or at best, are humored in a 'there-there' manner. So, what do you think happens when an elderly gentleman in a small western Pennsylvania town repeats the same suggestions at multiple City Council meetings, and then, in a nonchalant way, mentions that a spaceship crash-landed in his backyard, damaging his azaleas and birdbath? Right, others just shrug and move on, assuming the ol' geezer is just imagining things.

But what if the old man is not imagining? What if that spaceship/UFO did crush his azaleas and he's now being quite hospitable and nursing the injured alien back to health? Well, that's the story here in the first feature film screenplay from Gavin Steckler ("Review") in a film directed by Marc Turtletaub, best known as a Producer on such fine films as THE FAREWELL (2019), LOVING (2016), and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006).

Oscar winner Ben Kingsley plays Milton Robinson, a gentle soul and widower whose veterinarian daughter Denise (Zoe Winters, "Succession") helps him out with finances, while also encouraging him to see a doctor in hopes that he'll agree to move into an assisted living home. We see her concerns as Milton is forgetful and repetitive and lonely ... yet we also see his insistence on maintaining independence. Obviously, this is a situation many families deal with on a daily basis.

Things get really interesting when a couple of the other town elders become involved. Sandy (Harriet Sanson Harris) is the chipper do-gooder who is always trying to better the community, while Joyce (Jane Curtin) is the nosy one who wants to know everyone's business. Watching these three deal with the quiet and calm alien they name Jules is almost a therapeutic experience in bonding over a secret.

Mostly a charming, feel-good movie, Ms. Curtin does deliver a dose of comedy with her rendition of "Free Bird", and having Milton admit to three jaywalking tickets while addressing the City Council is a nice touch. This little film is full of kindness - unless you are a cat - and most will recognize that sliced apples take the place of Reese's Pieces. It's likely the most pleasant and easy-going science fiction movie we've seen ... at least until the few moments when the government is involved. Let's hope we would all treat outsiders the way Milton treats Jules.

Opens in theaters on August 11, 2023.

slow, pleasant way to spend and hour and half

[zentist-563-976986 · 7/10 · 15 August 2023]

The science fiction part of this movie is strictly background to a story about three elderly, single people in a small US town. The story was particularly relevant in that I just turned 70 and am starting to be faced with similar challenges to Ben Kingsley´s character. As we are all are as we age.

The crash of an alien space ship in his garden leaves the 78 year old confused more than frightened, 911 are not interested and when he mentions the event at a local council meeting they ignore him.

The alien is a friendly little guy who watches TV with protagonist and eats apples. Of course, the government is looking to locate the space ship but that again is background. The story is about an aging man and couple of aging ladies who find develop a friendship through the need to protect and care for the alien.

A very enjoyable little movie with convincing acting.

It's like eating comfort food (not the cats lol)

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 7/10 · 13 September 2023]

This was a surprisingly pleasant little gem that was put together by relatively newb filmmakers. The pacing was a little slow for my liking, but the excellent performances by the cast, especially Kingsley, made me want to keep watching. There were even some entertaining wtf moments and lots of unexpected laughter, especially when you hear the first unexpected f-bomb. The story is a little laid back, so don't expect any action or Alien-film's type creature scares, but instead, a simple, sweet, heartwarming and (fun)ny story combining sci-fi, comedy, with character study about family, friendship and aging with dementia, and the beautiful metaphor that even the elderly simply just want someone to listen to them. It's a fun and entertaining 87 minute one-time watch that I'm sure everyone will enjoy.

Not What You Might Think It Is.

[jmccrmck-65172 · 7/10 · 18 August 2023]

The movie is almost an Eight Star Movie, forget the trailer and see the movie. It is about what it is like to be getting older and not always being taken seriously and the alien is just a vehicle to tell that story.

I really didn't think I would like it but my partner wanted to see it and I was really glad that we saw it together. Ben Kingsley is , as always focused and believable what ever character he is playing and the the supporting cast are stand up as well. I was truly moved and touched by the story being told and that's the thing; the movie is so well conceived and executed that is does not disappoint. I was, most definitely, pleasantly surprised by how good this movie is, very entertaining.

Aliens do Exist

[RegalsReelView · 8/10 · 23 August 2023]

An older man living in a rural Pennsylvania town is stubbornly set in his ways. His day-to-day life is turned upside down when a UFO crash lands in his backyard. The man welcomes the alien into his home, and they learn from one another. Things get complicated when a couple of the man's nosy neighbors discover the extraterrestrial. Together, they must figure out what the alien needs to get home, and with the alien's help, they can confront their internal turmoil and anguish.

A unique take on aging and how it affects the people around us. The movie is light-hearted and easy to watch. The runtime is short; the film quickly gets to the point and does not bother giving many backstories. There is a good mix of comedy and drama. There is more to this movie than three senior citizens and an alien. The underlying messages are plentiful if some thought and reflection is put in. This is a good watch for anyone interested in aliens, aging, human interaction, or looking for something different.

Sweet, heartwarming film with a wonderful Ben Kingsley performance! [+65%]

[arungeorge13 · 7/10 · 17 September 2023]

Jules has a rather quirky yet simple plot, and it doesn't overstay its welcome in any way. The protagonist trio (played by Ben Kingsley, Harriet Harris, and Jane Curtin) share good chemistry and are fun to watch, as septuagenarians dealing with an unexpected guest. As old people, they're dealing with different kinds of things - ailments, emotional disconnect from their kids, and lacking a purpose.

The arrival of the alien proves to be a game-changer for each of them, especially Milton (Kingsley), who's suffering from increased instances of memory loss. As someone, who sits at home watching CSI re-runs all day, he suddenly feels like he has something remarkable to do. The ladies, Sandy and Joyce, enter the picture as allies, and the alien (named the titular Jules) turns out to be a friendly listener for all their troubles. They also want to help him out in his quest to repair his broken spaceship. This leads to interesting exchanges and wacky situations, all the while retaining the film's heartwarming emotional core.

The government surveillance angle was tackled poorly, and the CGI was really off in places, but the performances and the plot's irresisistible sweetness overcome most of it. The ending (and the change of mind for Milton) is somewhat sudden, and doesn't feel as impactful, but the scenes where the trio interact with the alien in the film's mid section made me smile a lot. I liked Marc Turtletaub's Puzzle with Irrfan Khan & Kelly Macdonald, and I guess I enjoyed this one a wee bit more.

A delightful genre-blend

[benjaminskylerhill · 10/10 · 15 August 2023]

My expectations were on the floor for this, as it's a tiny indie film that has had zero marketing force behind it. I think this was a gigantic mistake, and I implore anyone with a beating heart to go see this film. It really is one of the best movies of the entire year.

Low-budget sci-fi is hard to come by, but Jules makes me yearn for more of it. It has one of the most riotously funny and genuinely heartfelt screenplays of the year and it's brought to life by a knockout veteran cast that has impeccable comedic timing and deft dramatic chops as well.

Blending comedy, drama, and sci-fi was already a tall order, but Gavin Stickler's script also weaves together universal themes like loneliness, mortality, communication, and the contagiousness of kindness and contemplates them with sincerity, wit, and nuanced intelligence.

The low budget is very much apparent, with basic camerawork and a couple of cheap-looking VFX shots. But I can easily forgive this as I was stunned by how much was achieved with actual makeup, sets, and props. A great deal of love and care was put into this little project, and it shows.

This is the kind of movie that inspires me. You don't need anything flashy to make a film that moves you. I laughed. I cried. And when the credits rolled I yearned to be a better person. The power of cinema shines through even in the smallest projects.

Excellent cast and entertaining story. Ending was meh

[brianjohnson-20043 · 7/10 · 12 August 2023]

As a fan of 90s tv and movies it's great to see a movie with Bebe from Frasier, the lead from Schindler's list and Mary Albright from 3rd rock from the sun all in the same movie. They all did a great job. Especially Kingsley who one might not recognize if they didn't know that he's in the movie. He's such a chameleon.

It was excellent to see an alien movie which isn't like all the others, yet is also familiar to the others in its basic structure.

My biggest complaint of the movie was the ending. It felt like a missed opportunity to do something a bit more interesting and surprising. If almost felt like the first draft before someone developed the more satisfying or surprising ending.

The movie has a lot of great laughs at the way the characters interact with the alien. It's very charming, quirky and fun. I'd never consider it one of the best films of the year. But it was definitely a fun time and an engaging picture. And that'a more than you can say about a lot of movies.

Charming, LOL funny, and sweet tale of a small town senior dealing with aging and extraterrestrials

[johanna-27278 · 10/10 · 24 March 2023]

Saw this film at the Sonoma International Film Festival and LOVED IT! The story follows the daily life of an aging widower who gets an unexpected visitor that turns his, and two unlikely accomplices into an adventure not seen on film since E. T. Ben Kingsley, Jane Curtain, and Harriet Sanson slay in their roles as small town senior citizens looking for meaning and connection.

The audience laughed, cried, and felt a sense of connection to the characters. If you liked Robot & Frank, and Little Miss Sunshine, you will love this film. I will see this movie again and again and recommend that you do too!

Heartwarming and Entertaining

[michiganmovies-62603 · 20 August 2023]

First let me say that it takes a pretty strong reaction from a movie, either good or bad, to get me to write a review. Also my wife and I see just about every movie released, good and bad. Well, of all the movies we have seen this year, this has been one of my favorites. Sweet, thought-provoking, and just fun story telling. It wasn't perfect, but a really fun way to spend an hour and a half. I could have done without the swearing, references to sexual orientation, and Jayne Curtain singing, but they were not over the top issues. Ben Kingsley is just a master of his craft, regardless of the part he plays. And cat lovers beware - you might not like this movie. Sadly, this movie will never make the money that Barbie has, but this movie was far more enjoyable than Barbie.

A cup of camaomile tea kind of a movie

[Steve9920 · 7/10 · 15 September 2023]

That is, it is calming, gently soothing, and leaves no bitter aftertaste. Only counted one swear word, zero fist fights, and a kind of 10mph car chase. Any violence is reserved for a deserved burglar. Yes it cooky, and the plot meanders along at a slow pace, helped by the capable actors not attempting to milk their performances. There are a few chuckles, and the occassional laugh out loud moment, along with the unexpected plot twists that require belief suspension to be engaged.

No Saturday night blockbuster this. Rather more suited to a Sunday evening viewing with a cup of cocoa, then off to bed.

The Cat Sorcerer...

[Xstal · 5/10 · 12 September 2023]

What would you do, an aging mind's affecting you, when out of nowhere in the night, a flying saucer drops from flight, a few days later then appears, an alien with slits for ears, turquoise skin and a bald head, a taste for apples that he's fed, would you do your best to welcome, let him spend some time in your home, share the rituals of your day, let him recover in his way, introduce him to a friend, while he's getting on the mend, perhaps another barges in, and a song she starts to sing, all the time there are suspicions, that your mind needs a physician, it's as if you've lost your head, not like the one that exploded, as you prowl around to find, something dead that was feline, would you not make a mighty fuss, once Gary's euthanised your puss.

Emotional And Upbeat

[stevendbeard · 7/10 · 13 August 2023]

I saw Jules, starring Ben Kingsley-Ender's Game, Iron Man 3; Harriet Sansom Harris-Licorice Pizza, Desperate Housewives_tv; Jane Curtin-The Spy Who Loved Me, 3rd Rock From the Sun_tv and Jade Quon-Transformers:The Last Knight, Iron Man 3.

This was an unexpectedly nice little movie, except for the ending. Ben plays a 78 year old man living by himself in Pennsylvania. He goes to town meetings every month talking about mundane issues-street crosswalks, town motto changes, etc-until a UFO crash lands in his backyard. He calls 911 and reports it, but no one believes him. Ben has been having memory problems lately where he repeats himself a lot and puts things in the wrong places-a can of beans in the bathroom, a newspaper in the freezer. All signs seem to point to early Alzheimer's. When he checks back on the UFO, Jade has crawled out of it and collapsed, so Ben takes him into the house and takes care of him. Harriet and Jane are two friends from the town meetings that get roped into the mix when they discover Jade. Jade doesn't talk but draws pictures-a hint: the pictures are important. Ben, Harriet and Jane try to keep Jade a secret from everyone else while Jade tries to repair the UFO and all 4 begin to bond and become friends. Oh yeah, the government is also trying to find the ship and any occupants.

It's rated PG-13 for language and has a running time of 1 hour & 30 minutes.

Like I said earlier, the ending was the only thing that they could have done better, but it was still an emotional and upbeat journey and it would be a good one to stream.

Kingsley make this slight sci-fi worthwhile.

[JohnDeSando · 19 August 2023]

Jules is a robotic alien who crash-lands into Milton's (Ben Kingsley) backyard, but he could as much have been a dodo bird because the real story here is not so much sci-fi as it is about an elderly man dealing with onset dementia. What director Marc Turtletaub and writer Gavin Steckler masterfully do in "Jules" is show the challenges an older man faces which extend beyond mild memory loss to being isolated, shunned, and generally ignored by the rest of the world.

Or maybe not so much when you consider how attentive his elderly female friends, Sandy (Harriet Sansom Harris) and Joyce (Jane Curtin) are to him in a buddy way. The three combat his being ignored by the community and the disbelief that accompanies rumors about his new backyard guest. When Milton repeats at each town meeting his call for a different promotional tag line about the town or a new crosswalk, he is ignored except by his two friends.

Much of "Jules" has an authentic feel, despite the intergalactic guest, especially when his solicitous veterinarian daughter, Denise (Zoe Winters), tries to shepherd him into a home fearing that he is well on his way. He's not, of course, because he's just a bright guy not as nimble as he once was, open to a more eccentric life than his neighbors.

Little touches like having Jules doughy and expressionless except for his piercing eyes and the ship, a '50's flying saucer, in Milton's backyard unseen by neighbors lend a surreal Twilight Zone vibe that will end for certain with a homiletic turn to make the challenges worthwhile for everyone.

What this film lacks in the fast pace of AI, ET, or Robot and Frank, it makes up in the lack of daffiness associated with elderly folk or the grinding bad guys pursuing a robot. Jules has a leisurely pace that allows us to befriend Jules and his elderly earthlings. Yes, Kingsley is a remarkable actor.

Good concept, and well cast, but never really gets off the ground.

[paulemzod · 6/10 · 26 August 2023]

The premise of the film promises some very interesting developments, but the focus is on the three principle characters, and not on the alien who visits them. I found that disappointing, perhaps my expectations were too high. Starman with Jeff Bridges is a far superior film, as is another "other worldly" film in which he stars, together with Kevin Spacey, who presents himself as an alien. Jules is somewhat entertaining, but not what I expected. It rubs shoulders with some important themes, but never really embraces them. Recommends with those qualifications. But I am a harsh critic these days.

Ben Kingsley's Cocoon

[BoBo_Goal32 · 7/10 · 10 October 2023]

It seems like a light movie, with a little time to invest + Sir Ben Kingsley as an old geezer - what can go wrong? Apparently, nothing. I love it when Hollywood takes several veterans and insert them into a lovely idea of a script and also sprinkle a little bit charm and emotions on top; it's a recipe that never fails.

Somewhere near the end of the film I started thinking about Ron Howard's "Cocoon" from the 80's.

Some of the elements reminded me of this classic, but this one stands alone with a lot of charm from the three leading actors and of course the eyes of the amazing Jade Quon, who plays the alien.

We are talking about the love and care we need to give our grown parents, though they are not as they always where and the film talks a lot about the special ability of an Extra-Terrestrial to contain a lot of what normal and even the closest people to you cannot.

This one, with his eyes, never needs to say one word; they are spilling by themselves. It is a great surprise to encounter that kind of a movie and win almost the entire jackpot - short, funny, dramatic and especially moving and touches all the right buttons to be unforgettable, though it is such a small-time production.

Many seniors will identify with aspects of aging depicted here with humor

[steiner-sam · 9/10 · 26 August 2023]

It's a comedy set in modern times in a fictional town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It follows the experiences of three septuagenarians who encounter an alien from space whose spaceship has crashed in a backyard.

Milton Robinson (Ben Kingsley) is a 78-year-old widower living alone in his big house. He's starting to have memory problems but is fiercely independent. His daughter, Denise (Zoë Winters), is a local veterinarian who looks after Milton's finances and worries about his living independently. He is alienated from his son, Tim, who lives in California. Milton is a regular at city council meetings where he repeatedly brings up the same issues--changing the town's motto and the need for a crosswalk on a street with a long distance between intersections. Two older women also speak repeatedly at council meetings. Sandy (Harriet Sansom Harris) is only 72, but her husband has died of Alzheimer's. She is outgoing and has notions about new social programs. Joyce (Jane Curtin) is more acerbic and distrustful.

One night, a spaceship crashes in Milton's azalea flower garden. He mentions this in various contexts but is blown off as a senile old man. An injured alien (Jade Quon) emerges from the spaceship a few days later. First, Milton cares for him, and Sandy and Joyce gradually get involved. The alien never speaks but has empathetic eyes that lead all of them to treat the alien as a therapist. Milton and Sandy call the alien Jules, and Joyce calls him Gary.

The film follows their efforts to keep Jules a secret while s/he fixes the spaceship, and the National Security Agency desperately looks for the foreign body it saw descending to Earth but cannot find. We learn the alien's dietary requirements and discover yet another gift cats possess.

I really enjoyed "Jules" and chuckled often. Seniors will identify with many of the lived experiences of older people dismissed as irrelevant by younger generations. It may prove less funny to younger people. Kingsley, Harris, Curtin, and Quon are all excellent. The plot is not meant to be believable, so who cares about no one bothering to look in Milton's backyard.

Kafkaesque and sweet

[aprydem · 6/10 · 16 August 2023]

One of the main things that I found myself thinking about while watching this movie was the presence of mental illness. Milton's struggles with the early stages of dementia are really difficult to see, and one of the main reasons that those at round him didn't believe that there were actually aliens in his backyard. Yet, as folks around him eventually get introduced to the alien, named Jules, the more I continued to be reminded of Gregor in the metamorphosis. The reasons that Milton and Gregor alike were able to see aliens or become bugs were likely due to mental illness, but this is not only never addressed, but it's also something that isn't just a hallucination caused by one man. Others around them acknowledge the things that they see and or feel, and it's a fascinating concept to see put into film.

All in all a good film. Bit of a tearjerker. Made me think a lot about getting older and my relationship with my parents.

Fun

[crumpytv · 9/10 · 1 January 2024]

I enjoyed this. It was a lot of fun, without being over the top. It was subtle.

Yes, it was a cliched view of alien life forms from 60-70 years ago, but it didn't matter. The story was the thing that mattered and great performances from the four main characters made this all the more enjoyable. I particularly like the way Jane Curtin's nosey neighbour did not spoil things but contributed to the subterfuge when it seemed like she was going to spoil everything.

A really nice feel good film.

Milton lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard.

The characters are quirky and immediately endearing.

[trinaboice · 7/10 · 3 November 2023]

IN A NUTSHELL: The story is about an alien who crash-lands in the backyard of an old man in Pennsylvania. Two of his senior neighbors discover what happened and, together, they try to help the alien return to his home before the government closes in on their new friend.

The inventive film was directed by Marc Turtletaub, who also co-produced it with a team.

The story was written by Gavin Steckler.

THINGS I LIKED: I've been a huge fan of Ben Kingsley for decades! He is such a chameleon of an actor. For me, that's the true mark of a great actor. Some actors basically play the same character in every movie, but he completely disappears in every role he takes on.

The rest of the talented cast includes Harriet Sansom Harris, Zoë Winters, and SNL favorite Jane Curtin. The alien was played by Jade Quon. They all do a fantastic job!

The musical score is lovely.

The characters are quirky and immediately endearing.

The director stated in an interview that this story met his two criteria that determined whether or not he would make a particular film: Is the story about something meaningful enough that the viewer will continue to reflect on it after watching it?

Does the story offer a unique approach to the telling?

The movie was shot in 35 days, but the production was delayed due to the pandemic.

Fun fact: Jade Quon didn't reveal her portrayal of the alien until she was in full makeup. Needless to say, they were all shocked and surprised.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: It's very slow moving.

Some viewers might be expecting MORE...sci-fi, plot or even humor. What makes the movie especially touching is that it takes its time to say what it wants to say.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Talk of lesbians.

Multiple F-bombs Talk of a man's head exploding We see a thief struggle with an older woman Kids could be traumatized by seeing all of the dead cats. EEK!

!

A movie that's simply fantastic!

[MuviFan73 · 8/10 · 8 November 2023]

The movie is about an UFO which crashes in an old man's backyard. An Alien comes out of it. Will it be successful in repairing and leaving or will it be caught by earthlings. I would like to mention here is, it befriends three aged earthlings in the process. To add further the movie is quite in nature.

The old man, whose backyard witnesses the drama has children among which his daughter take care of him and is worried of his father's changing habits. The senior citizens in the movie try to find their way by various activities. The alien protects them and they know that. Watch the movie for details.

A space ship that is powered by biomechanics was quite a spectacle. The aged friends go through quite some trouble to gather biological stuff that an Alien could engineer to fuel his ship.

At end the quite alien invites them to come along with him so that he can take care of them as well, but the seniors refuse. That too was quite a scene.

The direction, acting of selected cast was top notch. The movie despite being simple, portrayed quality.

Sweet, Tender and Charming But Uneven and Underdeveloped

[brentsbulletinboard · 6/10 · 12 August 2023]

Seniors often face painfully lonely times by themselves, frequently craving the companionship of virtually anyone who'll keep them company, even if it's just someone to listen to them and their stories. Such is the case with Milton Robinson (Ben Kingsley), a 78-year-old widower apparently in the early stages of Alzheimer's who lives by himself in a small western Pennsylvania town. He has almost no one in his life except for his nagging daughter (Zoe Winters) and two elderly acquaintances (Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Curtin) who join him at weekly town council meetings. But that all changes with an unexpected event - the crash of a UFO into his backyard azaleas, an incident that unwittingly connects Milton with a seemingly sympathetic but non-speaking alien whom he and his cohorts lovingly name Jules (Jade Quon). This unusual partnership thus provides an unlikely outlet for Milton and company to share their thoughts about loneliness, aging, regrets and other highly personal subjects in frank, sweet and heartfelt (if a bit one-sided) conversations, with Jules serving as an impromptu interspecies sounding board, as it were. But can this relationship be kept secret, especially when Milton casually lets things slip that catch the attention of his fellow townsfolk and snooping government authorities? Director Marc Turtletaub's latest presents a tender tale of what it's like to be a senior in America as told from an unconventional standpoint, one full of warmth and sensitivity and peppered with elements of quirky humor and unexpected plot developments, all brought to life by its fine ensemble. However, with that said, the picture is also somewhat uneven in terms of writing, pacing and character development (including, somewhat ironically, that of the title character). While this engaging comedy-drama definitely has its heart in the right place, it nevertheless feels like it should have gone through another round of script revisions before being committed to celluloid. It often feels like it's drawing upon themes found in "Cocoon" (1985) and "E. T. the Extra Terrestrial" (1982), incorporating them into a story of its own, but it's that third component that never quite feels complete or thoroughly thought through. That's unfortunate, because, if the story and screenplay had been more fully developed, that would have made this a much better picture. I truly expect more from the producers who brought us "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) and "The Farewell" (2019), yet it's a shame we didn't get that this time around.

Disappointing

[Sees All · 2/10 · 12 August 2023]

I was really primed to love this movie, but I'm afraid I did not like it much at all, despite a clever concept and a brilliant cast. Basically, it's a variation on E. T., but where E. T. features a space alien lost on Earth who is aided by some children, in this one the alien is aided by three senior citizens. It's a charming premise, but the charm dissipates quickly, as one tasteless thing treads on the heels of another. Maybe you find dead cats funny. If so, this is right up your alley. It's not for family viewing unless you want your children to hear the "F" word. There are also a couple of mild lesbian jokes. One of the women gives the alien a t-shirt that says, "I'm not a lesbian, but my girlfriend is." (This is NOT a gay-bashing film. Harriet Harris's character goes on at length about how much she loves her lesbian daughter, although I have no idea why this is in the movie at all since it adds nothing to the plot or the characters and is never mentioned again.) The film is rather clumsily written, directed, and edited. At one point in the film federal agents come to the house where the alien is being hidden and bang on the door. I was expecting a raid, but instead, the scene shifted to another location and the whole thing was forgotten! What happened? Did they cut a scene? Did the Feds just leave? If so, why? This is never answered! The Feds come back at the end, though, as if it had never happened. I'm so sorry to have to write a negative review, especially since Ben Kingsley gives a knockout performance. Whoever dreamed he was so versatile? He has a broader range than I ever imagined. He is a great actor. If this movie were better, he'd get an Oscar for this performance. But it's not and he won't. Harriet Harris and Jane Curtin are also excellent in their roles. This could have been a great film, but to me, it wasn't even mediocre.