The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) Review

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

The Man Who Fell to Earth follows Thomas, an alien who has come to Earth in search of water, using his advanced technological knowledge to turn a profit. He, however, falls in love and is eventually captured by the government, putting his whole mission at risk.

Much like Solaris last month, this is another intriguing and thought provoking look at extraterrestrial life, acting as an LSD-ified and much less wholesome E.T. It comes off as a bit confusing, disjointed at times, but what I feel we’re actually experiencing is the mind of Thomas. I was particularly interested with their overall avoidance in outwardly showing him as an outright alien, with so much being told through his emotional responses and piercing gazes, setting him apart from your typical man. 

Scenes of graphic sexual encounters, the death of his family, and genuinely horrifying imagery intercut so much of this film, to the point where reality becomes indiscernible from the time hopping fiction we view on screen. It’s a non-linear, artistic piece that uses that intense imagery to tell the story, of which there isn’t one. It more focuses on the perils of living in, and partaking in, the modern world, something that is exasperated by the over indulgence of media within television.

The wide, 2.35:1 aspect ratio, combined with the stunning visuals that look as if they were shot yesterday, give this such a impressionable look, that is as visually beautiful as it is haunting. It gives the film a distinct, otherworldly look and feel to it, that is only amplified with the addition of David Bowie.

We also get a terrific cast in Candy Clark, Rip Torn (who is so young!), and David Bowie. Bowie’s performance, in his first starring role, is profound because he isn’t portraying a character. He is playing himself, accurately reflecting the type of man he was at this particular point in his life.

The Man Who Fell to Earth, directed by Nicolas Roeg, is a meta-commentary on David Bowie’s life and musical persona, communicating how even the most intelligent and unemotional of individuals can lose their way, corrupted by the materialism, sex, & alcohol of the physical world.

9.2/10