Sunday, January 24, 2010

The Man from Earth

I just saw a movie that quite floored me (in a way that I haven't felt since I first saw John Sayle's Lone Star, more than a decade ago) - The Man From Earth, which I found in the Science Fiction section of the Wellington Public Library.

Quick disclaimer: There are no special effects whatsoever, most of the movie takes place in one room. I haven't checked, but I'd not be surprised if it was once a play.

Dr John Oldman has unexpectedly resigned from his job as a university professor. His colleagues pay a surprise visit to say farewell, and they're curious as to why he's leaving.

They get a truckload more than they expected - imagine you discovered that one of your colleagues was immortal & had been around for 14,000 years or so & didn't stay in any one place for more than 10 years? Or at least, claimed so. What would you ask him?

This is quite an educated script, as far as I can tell, regarding human evolution & religion (not that I'm any expert, but I suspect I know more about both than the average bear). What if you did meet someone like this, what would you ask them to confirm their stories?

They ask him some really clever questions that I'd never thought of, as well as all the clever ones I did think of.

The ending, if not all of his revelations (the wolf whistle has been around since cro-magnon times), caught me by surprise. I wept.

But that might just be me at the moment.

It's been a rough couple of years. Everything will change, I'm hopeful, for the better.

I have joined the circus.


This blog has ended. Its time has gone, but it's been good to me. And I feel a bit sad.

Like they used to say at the end of the James Bond movies:

Llew will return.

I'm just not sure when, where, nor indeed, in what guise.


BTW: I've really enjoyed Summer Noelle, Matinee Idle, & the summer seasons of Backbenchers & Media 7.

And hah, Glee - never mind Susan Boyle, imagine being at that the very first audition of that chick that plays Rachel! I mean holy hell. Puck makes me laugh too. Shit songs, major talent.