A Great Place to Call Home

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.

This was a surprisingly pleasant little gem that was put together by relatively newb filmmakers. The pacing was a little slow for my liking, but the excellent performances by the cast, especially Kingsley, made me want to keep watching. There were even some entertaining wtf moments and lots of unexpected laughter, especially when you hear the first unexpected f-bomb. The story is a little laid back, so don't expect any action or Alien-film's type creature scares, but instead, a simple, sweet, heartwarming and (fun)ny story combining sci-fi, comedy, with character study about family, friendship and aging with dementia, and the beautiful metaphor that even the elderly simply just want someone to listen to them. It's a fun and entertaining 87 minute one-time watch that I'm sure everyone will enjoy.

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 movie is almost an Eight Star Movie, forget the trailer and see the movie. It is about what it is like to be getting older and not always being taken seriously and the alien is just a vehicle to tell that story.

I really didn't think I would like it but my partner wanted to see it and I was really glad that we saw it together. Ben Kingsley is , as always focused and believable what ever character he is playing and the the supporting cast are stand up as well. I was truly moved and touched by the story being told and that's the thing; the movie is so well conceived and executed that is does not disappoint. I was, most definitely, pleasantly surprised by how good this movie is, very entertaining.

Jules has a rather quirky yet simple plot, and it doesn't overstay its welcome in any way. The protagonist trio (played by Ben Kingsley, Harriet Harris, and Jane Curtin) share good chemistry and are fun to watch, as septuagenarians dealing with an unexpected guest. As old people, they're dealing with different kinds of things - ailments, emotional disconnect from their kids, and lacking a purpose.

The arrival of the alien proves to be a game-changer for each of them, especially Milton (Kingsley), who's suffering from increased instances of memory loss. As someone, who sits at home watching CSI re-runs all day, he suddenly feels like he has something remarkable to do. The ladies, Sandy and Joyce, enter the picture as allies, and the alien (named the titular Jules) turns out to be a friendly listener for all their troubles. They also want to help him out in his quest to repair his broken spaceship. This leads to interesting exchanges and wacky situations, all the while retaining the film's heartwarming emotional core.

The government surveillance angle was tackled poorly, and the CGI was really off in places, but the performances and the plot's irresisistible sweetness overcome most of it. The ending (and the change of mind for Milton) is somewhat sudden, and doesn't feel as impactful, but the scenes where the trio interact with the alien in the film's mid section made me smile a lot. I liked Marc Turtletaub's Puzzle with Irrfan Khan & Kelly Macdonald, and I guess I enjoyed this one a wee bit more.