Review of The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) by Matthew C — 29 Jan 2009
Criterion recently reissued this on a beautiful Bluray edition, with a fascinating commentary track featuring Roeg, Bowie and Buck Henry. I'd never seen it before and didn't know what to expect.
It's interesting to hear Bowie talk about taking the role without having read the script, on Roeg's reputation alone. But he so perfectly inhabits the character, stranded on Earth. He's not the only alien in the film.
All of the film's characters are aliens, really. There is a terrific scene near the beginning of the film that will stick with me, where Bowie is sitting in fright, watching a kabuki performance while Rip Torn's character, a womanizing college professor, rolls violently (but playfully) around in bed with a procession of co-eds.
It is a masterful example of using quick cuts to great effect. But it's uncharacteristic of the film as a whole, which has lots of long shots and extended moments of silence. I can see how some might not have the patience for Roeg's style but I love it.
This review of The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) was written by Matthew C on 29 Jan 2009.
The Man Who Fell to Earth has generally received positive reviews.
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