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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Spring 2013


Starman (1984) movie review

In 1977 Voyager II was launched into space, on it's surface was a plaque and a message inviting all lifeforms in the universe to visit our planet.

So, if an extraterrestrial found the message and decided to visit, what would be the result?

When an extraterrestrial arrives on Earth in a non-corporeal form, it uses the DNA from a saved lock of a dead man's hair to develop a human body. Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen) wakes to find her dead husband apparently alive and naked in their lonely cabin. The Starman (Jeff Bridges) says, "Please ... help", and he has a gun, so Jenny drives him to Arizona encountering less than stellar people on the way, giving him a chance to experience human nature.

Movie poster, Starman; Festivale film review

Movie poster, Starman
In 1977 Voyager II was launched into space, inviting all lifeforms in the universe to visit our planet. Get ready. Company's coming.

During their trip the starman gradually becomes more at home in his new body. His speech patterns become more normal, his body language is closer to human. Bridges does a nice job of being a stranger to a human body. He and Jenny develop a level of trust, and then love in their journey across the country.

But starman's arrival has not been unnoticed and the powers that be call out the forces as well as the scientists to contain this possible threat.

We invited him ... what about good manners?

Starman asks a familiar question, but one that remains pertinent: what would the forces in power do if confronted with strangers from elsewhere? What would we do?

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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 6 June 1985
For credits and official site details, see below
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Just the facts:

Title: Starman (1984)
Written by: Bruce A. Evans & Raynold Gideon & Dean Riesner (uncredited)
Directed by: John Carpenter
running time: 115 mins
rating: PG

The Players: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith,

Official website:
IMDb entry

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