A parable on the unfavorable effects alcohol has on entrepreneurial, survivalist aliens (among many, many other things), The Man Who Fell to Earth isn’t as concretely approachable or lauded as Nic Roeg’s other films from the ’70s (two of which I consider to be among the decade’s best). It is, well, absolutely, cohesively weird. In its duration, I laughed many times, was frightened some (Bowie’s revelation recalls Don’t Look Now’s similarly jarring climax), and was confused most of the time. It is dense, and the narrative is relentlessly progressive; it’s the sort of film that is designed for introspection, provided the viewer can recoup his senses for a second viewing. In my case, I intend to give it another try after I read Walter Tevis’ source novel, packaged neatly with the recent Criterion DVD.
by Rumsey Taylor | Source: The Criterion Collection DVD
12 Oct 2005 4:45 PM | Submit Comment