Man Who Fell to Earth
by Nicolas Roeg
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DVD details
Actor: Bernie Casey, Buck Henry, Candy Clark, David Bowie, Rip TornDirector: Nicolas Roeg
Brand: BOWIE,DAVID
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1 EX; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1 EX
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 139 minutes
Published: 2003
DVD Release Date: 2003-02-11
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
DVD Reviews of Man Who Fell to Earth
DVD Review: Brilliant, haunting evocation of alienation
Summary: 4 Stars
Like many others, I picked this up because I'm a Bowie fan. And, wow, he is incredible in the role of the alien to falls to earth. Having seen him in this role, I can't imagine any one else who could portray this character. His alien isn't cute or adorable, like E.T. or Mork; his is a true alien in every sense of the word.
I knew nothing of the novel by Walter Tevis from which the film is adapted. But I was intrigued by the liner notes that told a bit about his life, his own sense of alienation when he moved as a child to Kentucky, how his frail size and accent made him a target for many beatings, and of his own 17 year struggle with alcholism. Undoubtably it's the depth of his personal experience that imbues the story with such resonance. Indeed, he says that the Man is not necessarily from another planet, but that it is his mindset that creates his feeling of alienation.
I went over to the Book section of Amazon to read the reviews of the book and it seems that there are some superficial differences between it and the film, but the main pain of the theme is still as poignant in each.
I would like to read the book, perhaps just to fill in some of the gaps that many reviewers notice in this film, that make it a little hard to fathom in parts. However, the fact that this film was so gorgeously made does seem to enhance the orginal story a lot. Nicholas Roeg, first a visual artist and then a cinematographer, adds a whole other layer to the story, with his splendid photography. I am no fan of science fiction at all; just the sight of folks in shiny sleek silver outfits with wierd eyes and ears makes me want to run away (I never could watch Star Wars for just that reason.) But I found the few scenes of the Man, falling, in his silver wrapper, and especially the shots of the family he left behind on the troubled planet very lovely and moving.
And, then, there is the phenomenon of the strangely beautiful David Bowie. His presence, alone, is worth the price of admission! He is a true original and gives credibility to the notion that he might just be from another planet(!) He is a reason enough to turn the book into a film.
The story, as others have told here, is relatively simple. A man, named Newton, from the planet Anthea, leaves home to come to Earth. The book gives different reasons; the film states that Anthea has had an extended drought and he hopes to send water back. He possesses advanced technological knowledge which he uses to take over a large corporation in hopes that they will build a space craft for him.
At first all goes well, due to the extraordinary skill of Newton. He hides his secret and keeps distant from any social contact. However, in a hotel in Artesia, New Mexico, he collapses in the elevator and is rescued by the hotel maid, Mary Lou (Candy Clark.) She is the perfect person to bring some warmth, if not color, to his pale cheeks: warm, cute, irrepressably friendly, and not too bright. At first I found her efforts to "humanize" the poor alien quite touching. The scene where he shows her the lake where he plans to build a house and he actually holds her hand for a few seconds is amazing. It takes them a while but they eventually have a sexual relationship, (which Roeg is not shy about showing.)
Things look good for a while--she helps him decorate the house which he has done in Japanese decor, for some reason---I guess it matches his ascetic taste. However, poor Mary Ann, shares not only her love of life, church and sex with Newton, but her taste for gin. He prefers water at first but then gives in and soon the two of them manage to consume lots and lots of it. It's really scary to see all of the empty bottles sitting around---you can see how alcoholism was truly a demon for Tavis. The film could be convincingly used as an anti-drinking document.
In time, Newton is corrupted by the pleasures of Earth and the duplicity of the Earthlings. It's a simple fable and certainly worth thinking about. I would have preferred a happier ending--something about the triumph of the human spirit or the Anthean spirit or some kind of spirit, but it's the alcoholic spirits that win, and that is truly sad.
In addition to Bowie, the rest of the cast is wonderful. Rip Torn plays a sleazy, smart guy who leaves his job teaching college, where he enjoyed the company of numerous co-eds, eager to earn a good grade (again Roeg is graphic in showing the details) to go to greener pastures to work for the company that is employing Newton. Torn's performance is easy to overlook in the brilliant company of Bowie, but he is just right in showing the affable but morally compromised man that he is. He's funny, too and the sex scenes are hilarious, especially the first one where his girlfriend's bra ends up on the photo of the professor's estranged wife and daughter. It tells us all we need to know about him.
Candy Clark is perfect as the wonderfully warm, terribly sad woman who loves her "Tommy." (Newton) Time passes and her drinking turns her from a fresh faced young girl into a puffy faced middle aged woman. She still loves life in her own way, decorates her home with Christmas ornaments and has taken up with the professor, who, for some reason wears a Santa suit, as they visit the local liquor shop. It's quite perfect. Buck Henry is here as the head of the world corp that employs Newton and he is always good, although it's a pretty lack luster role that doesn't give him a chance to really shine.
As mentioned, there are a lot of sex scenes which should please some and dismay others. It's the 70's and the vogue in film making was to show it all. I don't like a lot of gratuitious sex-for-shock-value scenes but I thought these were well done. I can't say "tasteful" because they are purposely not "tasteful" but for me, they worked.
I have the AnchorBay edition and, from what I've read here, I wish I had the Criterion edition. For one thing, there are no English subtitles on this (don't know what Criterion has) and I missed a lot of what Bowie said. So I was a little confused during the second half, although others said that certain key scenes were cut which would have better explained the scenario. I would have liked to hear the comments that Criterion offers.
This is a film that sticks with you, because of its story, its gorgeous style and especially the performances. I am tempted to give it five stars--just the terribly sad ending spoiled it for me.
Description of Man Who Fell to Earth
A science-fiction film in which a frail and exotic alien is exposed to and ultimately overcome by technology, American Capitalism and earthly love.Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: R
Release Date: 11-FEB-2003
Media Type: DVD
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