Reader Recommended: The Man from Earth (2007)

Today I was visiting a friend in the city and while there he suggested that we watch The Man from Earth. After a brief description, I realized it sounded a lot like My Dinner with Andre. A thinking man's movie, involving not much else other than a small group of characters in one location, doing nothing other than talking. The neat thing about this one is that it has a strong sci-fi twist to it. Was I bored out of my mind, or was my mind blown away? Hit the jump to find out!


Professor John Oldman is moving away, and his friends are throwing him a farewell party. Every 10 years or so, he packs up his few possessions, and moves away. He does this because after about 10 years, people start to notice that it seems like he doesn't age. The truth may be more complicated than anyone realizes. Before he goes, he decides to do something he's never done before. Admit to his closest friends who, and what, he really is before he says goodbye.

While the story and concept of the film are terrific, it can't be denied that this is a pretty budget movie. I personally noticed it most in the sound editing. Oftentimes it sounded like all the actors had dubbed in their own voices after filming. Every person's voice, no matter where they were in the scene, was always the exact same level/volume, even when outside. It just sounds unnatural. I suspect this had to be done if they didn't have the budget for better quality mics and thus had to do something to make up for background noise.

The group remains captive by John's (far right) unbelievable revelation

Similarly, the acting is often very dry, or what emotion they do show seems very forced, with a few exceptions. Those exceptions would be for Ellen Crawford's emotional outbursts towards the end of the film, John Billingsley's often jovial nature, and Tony Todd's calm, reserved, and curious attitude. To be truthful, though, all the actors had moments of weakness, which can probably be laid at the feet of the director. It's hard to say.

There's not much I find I can say about this film, as really not much happens besides the fascinating stories (truths?) that John relays to his evening guests. There seems a realm of possibility to everything he says, if you're willing to accept the most crazy, basic notion of the whole story. I've decided not to reveal it here, because I think it's interesting enough that it overrides all the other production weaknesses the movie has otherwise. Check it out. I really liked it, and it'll be one of those hidden gems I'll remember for a long time to come!