Review: Film: The Brother from Another Planet, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.

“The Brother from Another Planet” is a film written and directed by Oscar Nominee, John Sayles. Mr. Sayles is a maverick innovator within the independent film industry. He is also the writer and director for other films “Passion Fish,” “Lone Star” and “Sunshine State.” One review from “The Hollywood Reporter” describes this film as “Intelligent and engaging, with a keen sense of insight and a wry sense of humor. Another review from “Boxoffice” describes the film as “A thoroughly entertaining, delightful tale, tremendously funny and touching.”

An extraterrestrial, Joe Morton, crash-lands at the “Ellis Island Immigration Center.” The extraterrestrial disorientation does not enhance his ability within the city of New York, but he does manage to hobble into Harlem. He has a miraculous ability to regenerate limbs. Upon his arrival in Harlem those around view him with suspicion, he interacts with several characters an Evangelist, Oriental grocer, New York’s finest and Bar Flies. The Bar Flies project all kinds of possibilities upon this new interloper regarding his origin of origination and possible disabilities. Without further adieu, the Bar Flies adopt him as one of their own.

This film is a science fiction comedy that presents a realistic smack of the human condition augmented with humor. The story is an extraterrestrial without the ability of speech, observing unfamiliar surroundings and situations in Harlem. Although he is without the ability of speech, all persons he encounters speak to him without limitation. Remarkably, every individual the extraterrestrial encounters has a positive experience due to his or her encounters with this unusual brother from another world. They view him with kindness and give him advice on how to deal and interact with other people.

The arrival of intergalactic bounty hunters, who are trying to catch the extraterrestrial, creates another paradigm. Individuals that encounter the bounty hunters view the encounter as negative. The extraterrestrial has supernatural abilities with machinery, great strength coupled with his innovative resolutions, medical miracles, and humanistic attributes, most importantly is his ability to listen to others. However, those abilities and qualities merely act as metaphors for the objective of his journey, which is the message of brotherly love.

The screenplay is original with dialogue reminiscent of Harlem. The cinematography is exceptional. The ideas are unique, and well presented with racial irony: Bitter humor due to its truth. The viewing of this film shall be with consideration to the period it was completed in 1984. The movie reflects the societal historical situation of racial relations and stereotypes. The film is clever, and it presents difficult subject matter regarding racial relations, drug addiction, prostitution, poverty, violence and marginalized individuals with an original, humoristic and entertaining storyline. This film shall be secure in the historical archive.