Jules

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.