Interesting, odd and fascinating to look at, 1976's THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH is, like it's very talented star, an oddity.
David Bowie stars as Thomas Jerome Newton, an alien from far away ("over there somewhere") who has come to Earth to find water to save his home planet and the family he left behind.
As Thomas discovers more and more about Earth and its people, he falls into the spell of classic American (human?) vices, alcohol, sex and television, often soaking up copious amounts of all three at the same time.
With his knowledge far beyond our own, Thomas quickly becomes a major world industrialist, think Elon Musk+Bill Gates X 10.
Buck Henry (The Graduate) is terrific as Oliver Farnsworth, who Thomas chooses to run his corporation. Rip Torn (The Larry Sanders Show) is Nathan, a teacher who goes on a quest to work with Thomas. Candy Clark is Mary Lou, a small Texas town hotel worker who falls in love with the other worldly visitor.
Director Nicholas Roeg (Walkabout, Don't Look Now) will never be mistaken for mainstream. His style is over-the-top, in your face, eclectic and odd. Flashing all over the timeline of the story, he tells a non-linear story that is more fun to look at than to connect with, which I never did.
The movie is carried effortlessly by David Bowie in all his 70's Ziggy Stardust glory. Bowie is a talented actor. I've always thought his brief appearance in Christopher Nolan's "The Prestige" was excellent, making me wish he had acted more. Bowie owns the screen.
He famously said that it was his first acting performance, fueled by cocaine and a complete lack of understanding of the process. Whatever that process was, it served the alien character well.
Almost plotless, bouncing around timelines and filled with desolation and loneliness, it's not everyone's cup of tea. I found it more interesting than entertaining.
It's fascinating to look at, but don't expect to feel anything. I'll give this artistic but distant cult film a C.
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