It Came from the Sky

This is one of those independent movies where you can tell by watching just how much the actors got into the material. Arguably, they all shine magnificently here in this intriguing piece. The vast majority of the action in this movie takes place in the living room and kitchen of a house, and the close proximity of all the characters to one another heightens the tension incrementally, making their moments seem much more real and easy to relate to.

The movie follows a couple, the Bridges, who are growing apart under the stress of taking care of their disabled son. While their marriage is on the brink of collapse, their living room roof literally collapses when a plane carrying a mysterious and wonderfully romantic couple crashes on their house. What happens in the next few hours in the characters' lives is a transformation as they come to terms with their secrets and insecurities.

The acting here is solid by seasoned pros. Bleethe is surprisingly good (I had always assumed she wasn't particularly talented given her "Baywatch" stint, but the girl can actually act), and Ritter and Williams are so convincing, you feel like they are a real estranged couple. Lloyd proves he is even more effective as a dramatic actor than a comedic one (if you can imagine that), and Zegers brings real compassion to his portrayal of a disabled boy without falling into schmaltzy stereotypes we see so often on film.

Kudos to the writing and the casting.

Even though the story is not that impressive, the casts are brilliant! Everyone was acting to the limit, making this movie a showcase of talent.

Kevin Zegers is simply great! He never seemed to forget what his character was supposed to behave, with the same gestures all the time. I don't know if it's because of the tight supervision by the director...

All in all, it's a different kind of movie, and I'm sure you can still enjoy it, whoever you are.

This was an entertaining movie about a 13 year old boy, portrayed by Kevin Zegers, and a couple of guardian angles, Christopher Lloyd and Yasmine Bleet, looking after him. Say what, they had to be, its revealed in the last scene. The really foul language of the Ritter and Williams characters almost ruined it for me, and was totally uncalled for. IT ADDED NOTHING! Otherwise, this would of been great family entertainment rather than R rated. Zegers did a superb rendition of a kid physically handicapped due to a near drowning incident which left him less than totally functional. Worth the time to view.

Absolute touching and worthwhile gem. For a TV movie as well, an enormous credit to all concerned. If you can't SEE that...and predictably - many of you saw no more than an "average, boring, run of the mill tale with has-been actors".....then its pitiful. Emotions run deep here and you need to submerge your thoughts and perceptions below that which your visuals dictate.

With strong elements of PHENOMENON, PALE RIDER, SIGNS but most tellingly - WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? in its wake, this is an ultimately feel-good fantasy for the thinking adult. Whoever sees in Ritter a dislikeable person here, sees NOTHING, any more than Bleeth is actively portraying a brain-dead bimbo. Arguably Christopher Lloyd's best role, the brilliance of the film lies in its script...IF you're listening...if you know what the hell you're listening TO that is! Did two strangers crash their plane into the roof and make a big hole? yes they did...now why IS that?

Kevin Zegers is nothing short of awesome in his role as the seemingly autistic young son with a predilection for the alien tongue. While with less screen time, his performance blows HAYLEY JOEL OSMONT out of the water here. JoBeth Williams is just dynamite too as his incredibly supportative and loving mother.

In the same way that the equally script-driven COHEN AND TATE was such a great film, tha "action" rarely moving beyond the confines of an automobile, IT CAME FROM THE SKY succeeds despite the entire film taking place in the one house (to repeat...as per VIRGINIA WOOLF)

That leaves the wondrous ending....lets not talk about it!

With only 5 players and all of them accomplished, notable ones, this TV movie already had a headstart. The script elevates this to almost a 'theatrical level release, though.

The story itself is simple enough... a marriage is being put to the test after a boy is almost drowned in a swimming accident. Years later the unresolved guilt and the ensuing blame games have all but destroyed the marriage.

An eccentric and delightful couple enter their home and the rot of their lives rises to the surface. Eventually, the issues are all dealt with and the future looks somewhat brighter for the family. The visitors go on their way to Las Vegas for their Valentine's Day break.

Yasmine Bleeth (as Pepper Upper, which is my new favorite name) is a revelation as the (supposedly) 'ditzy' girlfriend. Amazingly sexy and sensual with easily the best lines in the show, steals this away from the others... but only just. John Ritter manages to convey a remarkably complicated portrait of a man who you should be sympathetic towards, but his own mean spirited bitterness won't quite let you.

It is these two performances that somehow manage to almost drown out the rest of the cast. It's a TV movie so things tie up nicely. Well worth heading to YouTube to check out.