6.9
When an alien takes the form of a young widow's husband and asks her to drive him from Wisconsin to Arizona, the government tries to stop them.
Jeff Bridges
Starman / Scott Hayden
Karen Allen
Jenny Hayden
Charles Martin Smith
Mark Shermin
Richard Jaeckel
George Fox
Robert Phalen
Major Bell
Tony Edwards
Sergeant Lemon
John Walter Davis
Brad Heinmuller
Ted White
Deer Hunter
Dirk Blocker
Cop #1
M.C. Gainey
Cop #2
Sean Stanek
Hot Rodder
George Buck Flower
Cook
Russ Benning
Scientist
Ralph Cosham
Marine Lieutenant
David Wells
Fox's Assistant
Anthony Grumbach
NSA Officer
James Deeth
S-61 Pilot
Alex Daniels
Gas Station Attendant
Carol Rosenthal
Gas Customer
Mickey Jones
Trucker
Lu Leonard
Roadhouse Waitress
Charlie Hughes
Bus Driver
Byron Walls
Police Sergeant
Betty Bunch
Truck Stop Waitress
Victor McLemore
Roadblock Lt.
Steven Brennan
Roadblock Sergeant
Pat Lee
Bracero Wife
Judith Kim
Girl Barker
Ronald Colby
Cafe Waiter
Robert Stein
State Trooper
Kenny Call
Donnie Bob
Jeff Ramsey
Hunter #1
Jerry Gatlin
Hunter #2
David Daniell
Letterman
Randy Tutton
2nd Letterman
John Carpenter
Man in Helicopter (uncredited)
Mark Jensen
Extra (uncredited)
Ronald L. Colby
Cafe Waiter
Director
John Carpenter
Writer
Bruce A. Evans
Writer
Raynold Gideon
April 19, 2015
9
Loving the Alien.
Mixed notices then and now for John Carpenter's sci-fi love story - cum human warning parable, but the fact is is that if it touches you it's a touch that stays for ever. It's a lovely film headed up by Jeff Bridges' wonderful turn as the alien from outer space teaming up with Karen Allen for a road trip to a Nevada crater, where he will be picked up by his own species and taken home.
Taking on human form, that of Allen's deceased husband, much of the humour is derived from how the alien tries to adapt to a human lifestyle. The language, food, customs and romance, but always there is a serious thread running through the narrative. He was invited here by the contents of Voyager One, but now the suits want him for less than honourable research, so the pair, coming together as one after she is obviously in a state of kidnap worry, have to stay one step ahead of the authorities.
So there's suspense in the mix via the chase dynamics, as well as some beautiful sequences, one of which has animal lovers of the world punch the air with unbridled joy. The premise is of course flimsy, and cribbing bits from ET and Close Encounters did the film no favours under critical analysis, but the emotional whack is mightily strong, with the lead characters being so easy to root for. While Jack Nitzsche's synth based musical score is a sci-fi great, perfect.
A vastly under valued picture on Carpenter's CV, Starman would like to come and see us, if only we would give it the time. 8.5/10