JohnDoe
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The Man from Earth (2007) - Trailer Included
The Mindful Inquisition of a Curious Life
Man from Earth - Available on DVD
Director: Richard Schenkman
Writer: Jerome Bixby
Starring: David Lee Smith, William Katt, John Billingsley, Ellen Crawford, Alexis Thorpe, Annika Paterson, Richard Riehle
Great science fiction inspires the imagination, makes the implausible believable and provokes thought beyond its running time and in that respect The Man from Earth is an under discussed triumph.
Most famous for penning seminal episodes of the original Twilight Zone (It’s a Good Life), Star Trek (Mirror, Mirror, Requiem for Methuselah) and Fantastic Voyage the screenplay is written by renowned Author and Screenwriter Jerome Bixby. Based on an idea he began in the 1960’s the script was actually completed on his deathbed in 1998.
Going against tradition the film boasts absolutely zero special effects and takes place almost entirely in one room. Relying instead on the philosophically esoteric conversation between a small gathering of intellectuals.
Careful to remain completely spoiler free, college professor John Oldman (David Lee Smith) is about to leave a successful career and move on to an unknown destination. Interrupted while packing his truck, an impromptu farewell party begins with his colleagues insisting on saying their goodbyes over a few drinks.
Soon a bottle of Johnny Walker Green is opened and these experts in the field of biology, theology, anthropology and archeology are all lured into John’s hypothetical question, “What if a man from the Upper Paleolithic had survived until the present day?”
David Lee Smith steps into the foreground of The Man from Earth
John Doe says:
Overflowing in intellectual curiosity, The Man from Earth is not the most cinematic of films but instead a richly told yarn armed with an exceptional screenplay. Structured so that within ten minutes of the opening credits every other sentence uttered could easily be mined into a feature film of its own, this is concentrated nutrition for the grey matter. Think Tape meets K-Pax, on a very limited budget.
An exhilarating indie film that indirectly and purposefully raises questions about human existence, purpose and societal perceptions. The complexities of id and being are framed in a ceaselessly intriguing premise that just expands with each character exchange.
The casting cements this as a destined for cult status gem. The small list of players is made up largely of ex Star Trek alumni, sci-fi bit players and The Greatest American Hero himself William Katt. Obviously a labor of love for all involved there is a genuine curiosity that seems to dictate performances. The acting is uneven though and at times downright average, still not as grating as watching someone like Sandra Bullock or Hugh Grant try to convince JD they are in the moment.
David Lee Smith (Zodiac, Mysterious Skin, Fight Club, Star Trek Voyager) is a sullen but passionate central figure whose withdrawn likability manages to lure the viewer in as much as the inquisitive story.
The recognizable John Billingsley brings his gentle charm
The sound design and Direction are stilted at times but the sum of its part’s add-up to an immersive, dialogue driven feast that resonated for Johnny. In the end The Man from Earth is a low budget experiment that will satisfy open minded Science fiction gluttons looking for something fresh to add to their must see list.
Trailer for Jerome Bixby's Man from Earth
Screen Fanatic
Film & TV on DVD
This is one of those films that has pretty much gone unnoticed except on the festival circuit where it gained some level of acclaim.
I stumbled across it by accident and after some research discovered it had a rating of over 8 stars on imdb.
The one room setting tends to add a sense of urgency to films that utilize the limited surroundings well. As I said in my review the acting is a little uneven and some of the technical direction is wavering but I still enjoyed the film immensely.
I look forward to reading your opinion after viewing.
Bagman's Gazette
Film & TV on DVD
It happens, just cooler when its a small one like this that is seldom discussed.
I love cerebral cinema like this and feel sci fi in general really demands it for quality entertainment. '