Jules
                                                                                              
Director: Marc Turtletaub
Year: 2023
Rating: 7.0
This is an enormously likable film and there is nothing wrong with that. There is no real drama, no real suspense, some quaint humor, no surprises or trick endings - but it is damn likable. It has a layer of humanity that surrounds it and makes us feel better about this world we live in. But beneath that are some truths about aging and loneliness that percolate along the surface. Some of us may see reflections in that of our family or ourselves. It's about an alien. But nothing fancy. Made on a small budget for an alien film with no CGI, no dire end of the world nonsense.  Just an alien who drops in. One keeps expecting it to go in a less sweet direction - that there will be some big dramatic moment but fortunately the director Marc Turtletaub just doesn't go for the obvious. Hell, he is the producer of Little Miss Sunshine. He walks with angels.



It takes place in small town Pennsylvania where everyone knows everyone and the town council meetings allow folks to lodge complaints or remarks. Every week Milton (Ben Kingsley) shows up to object to the town's motto and ask for a crosswalk downtown. Two other regulars are Sandy (Harriet Sansom Harris) and Joyce (Jane Curtin). Three senior citizens looking for something to do and trying to be useful in a society where the old are either invisible or irritations. Their lives are empty of emotion and love - children that don't keep in touch or look at them as helpless - and Milton is likely at the beginning stage of dementia. Newspapers in the freezer and cans of beans in the bathroom cabinet. He knows he is slowly slipping away but refuses to confront it. But that is just in the background of the film. This is not a depressing film about getting old - but it is there.



Then a spaceship crashes into Milton's backyard. His main concern is that it destroyed his azaleas and broke his birdbath. He calls 911 but of course no one believes him. And then he just goes on with his life. Mentions it at the council meeting but no one pays attention. And then the alien crawls out of the ship - it is a short chalky white hairless glossy creature without a lot of features - impossible to tell the sex - says nothing but has expressive eyes and the alien that is named Jules keeps drawing pictures of seven cats. Milton invites him in - feeds him apples and they watch TV together. CSI is a favorite. And then Sandy comes by one day and sees Jules. Surprised but she befriends him - tells Milton don't tell anyone - you know what they always do to aliens in movies. And then Joyce. And she is in on the secret. And not much really happens but it is just right. The alien does have a few powers as it turns out.



Ben Kingsley is brilliant in this - crabby, remote but very recognizable if you have had old parents - the remote control was my father all over. He just nails this lonely but kindly man coming to the realization that life is changing for him but refuses to go gently. The two actresses are excellent as well. Jules is not CGI but is played by actress Jade Quon who had to spend four hours a day with make-up putting on layers of Playtex. It could not have been fun. A feel good film in a not feel good time.