Review of The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) by Mary H — 03 Jul 2011

A surreal, mystifying sci-fi cult-classic that concerns a humanoid extraterrestrial, played by rock legend David Bowie in a compelling performance who journeys to Earth from his drought-stricken dying planet to save it, and eventually becomes the head of a giant mega corporation, that will build space vessels to bring water back to his world, a chemistry professor named Nathan Bryce, played by Rip Torn in a superb turn begins to suspect that the technology behind the corporation cannot be explained, further complicating matters is the fact that the innocent alien tycoon has become sidetracked from his mission, for he has succumbed to human desires especially sex, booze and television, he capitulates these vices and bodily wants with his earthly bondage, this is a weapon that his captors use to keep control of him.

David Bowie plays the phlegmatic alien wonderfully in a smashing screen debut performance, he is endlessly fascinating to watch, his androgynous pale thin body, piercing eyes and radiant orange hair, perfectly personifies a humanistic alien.

Fine direction by Nicolas Roeg, stunning cinematography by Anthony B. Richmond, with excellent supporting performances by Candy Clark, Buck Henry, Bernie Casey, Lina Hutton and Jackson D. Kane. Bleak, disturbing, bizarre and totally brlliant, a worth-while motion picture experience for anyone looking for something out of the norm.

Note: There are quite a few scenes of full-frontal nudity of both males and females, as well as sexually explicit scenes, that are filmed stylistically. Highly Recommended.