Jules

First let me say that it takes a pretty strong reaction from a movie, either good or bad, to get me to write a review. Also my wife and I see just about every movie released, good and bad. Well, of all the movies we have seen this year, this has been one of my favorites. Sweet, thought-provoking, and just fun story telling. It wasn't perfect, but a really fun way to spend an hour and a half. I could have done without the swearing, references to sexual orientation, and Jayne Curtain singing, but they were not over the top issues. Ben Kingsley is just a master of his craft, regardless of the part he plays. And cat lovers beware - you might not like this movie. Sadly, this movie will never make the money that Barbie has, but this movie was far more enjoyable than Barbie.

Greetings again from the darkness. Senior citizens sometimes nearly cease to exist for the outside world, or at best, are humored in a 'there-there' manner. So, what do you think happens when an elderly gentleman in a small western Pennsylvania town repeats the same suggestions at multiple City Council meetings, and then, in a nonchalant way, mentions that a spaceship crash-landed in his backyard, damaging his azaleas and birdbath? Right, others just shrug and move on, assuming the ol' geezer is just imagining things.

But what if the old man is not imagining? What if that spaceship/UFO did crush his azaleas and he's now being quite hospitable and nursing the injured alien back to health? Well, that's the story here in the first feature film screenplay from Gavin Steckler ("Review") in a film directed by Marc Turtletaub, best known as a Producer on such fine films as THE FAREWELL (2019), LOVING (2016), and LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006).

Oscar winner Ben Kingsley plays Milton Robinson, a gentle soul and widower whose veterinarian daughter Denise (Zoe Winters, "Succession") helps him out with finances, while also encouraging him to see a doctor in hopes that he'll agree to move into an assisted living home. We see her concerns as Milton is forgetful and repetitive and lonely ... yet we also see his insistence on maintaining independence. Obviously, this is a situation many families deal with on a daily basis.

Things get really interesting when a couple of the other town elders become involved. Sandy (Harriet Sanson Harris) is the chipper do-gooder who is always trying to better the community, while Joyce (Jane Curtin) is the nosy one who wants to know everyone's business. Watching these three deal with the quiet and calm alien they name Jules is almost a therapeutic experience in bonding over a secret.

Mostly a charming, feel-good movie, Ms. Curtin does deliver a dose of comedy with her rendition of "Free Bird", and having Milton admit to three jaywalking tickets while addressing the City Council is a nice touch. This little film is full of kindness - unless you are a cat - and most will recognize that sliced apples take the place of Reese's Pieces. It's likely the most pleasant and easy-going science fiction movie we've seen ... at least until the few moments when the government is involved. Let's hope we would all treat outsiders the way Milton treats Jules.

Opens in theaters on August 11, 2023.

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.

No mind blowing special effects, no earth shattering explosions, no car chases, just a slow burn quirky small town film with a lot of heart.

As someone with a lifelong love of Sci-Fi who is fast approaching retirement age I could identify with the characters in this film. Ben Kingsley's portrayal of Milton is spot on and the inclusion of. Jane Curtin, who was known for her role in the Conehead sketches as Prymaat, is a nice little Easter egg that may go unnoticed by some. Plus there are subtle references to E. T. Alf, Men In Black, and even tangentially, Flight of the Navigator, there may even be others I missed.

Many sci-fi fans are fast approaching the autumn of their lives, and far too many science fiction movies overlook this segment of their audience. Good intelligent science fiction featuring older actors and mature story lines are few and far between.

Though the plots are significantly different, this film somewhat reminded me of Robot & Frank (2012), staring Frank Langella and Susan Sarandon. If you like Jules I would recommend that you check out Robot & Frank.

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.