- Director
- Writers
- Marshall Brickman(screenplay)
- Thomas Baum(story)
- Stars
- Director
- Writers
- Marshall Brickman(screenplay)
- Thomas Baum(story)
- Stars
- Awards
- 2 nominations
Videos1
- Director
- Writers
- Marshall Brickman(screenplay) (story)
- Thomas Baum(story)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Space Shuttle seen in this film is the Columbia in its STS-1 configuration - the only one with a white external fuel tank. The spacecraft had arrived at Kennedy Space Center in March of 1979 and was scheduled to launch late in that year, but was delayed until April, 1981 due to engine and thermal protection system problems. Hence, the production was forced to use shots of the Shuttle on the launch pad, but an Apollo-era Saturn V rocket for the lift-off shots.
- GoofsWhen the space shuttle lifts off, it promptly turns into a Saturn V.
- Quotes
Prof. Simon Mendelssohn: Good afternoon everybody. I've been doing a great deal of thinking about who I am and why I have been sent here to live with you. And the answer is really very simple. Things here are just not working out very well. Your jobs are boring, your food is bland, your water is polluted and your relationships don't work. Is that not right? And the question is, how have things come to such a sorry state of affairs? I will tell you. There is too much bad suff around. Bad food, bad drink, bad art, bad ideas. Everything's all clogged up. So, what we're going to do is we're going to get rid of all the bad stuff and that will be a very good beginning. Now, I have a list here of things I would like written in the constitution immediately after which I promise you your lives will be less tense and more rewarding: 1. All muzak in elevators, airports, restaurants and other public rooms will cease immediately. 2. No more children or animals may be used to sell products. 3. Lawyers who lose cases will go to jail with their clients. 4. No doctor may write a diet book. Any doctor who does will immediately lose his license and become a dentist. 5. I think we don't really need a House of Representatives and a Senate. The Romans didn't have one, so let's just have a Senate, okay? Which reminds me, I think that it would be a very good idea if from now on all politicians who appear in public wear a cone-shaped party hat. Not bad, huh? 6. Pollution. Anybody who owns a factory that makes radioactive waste has to take it home at night with him to his house. 7. Anybody who says, "I am trying to get centered," "You are invading my space," or "Far out" will be fined $50. Make that $100.
Alan Arkin belongs to an early iteration of Second City. That's probably where he met Judy Graubart. She may be a good performer on the small stage but she's not one on the big screen. Madeline Kahn would be an infinitively more charismatic lead. The whole movie feels like a smartly written exercise that is too smart for its own good. Writer/director Marshall Brickman has an extensive resume which includes a lot of early work with Woody Allen. It's a satire but of what exactly is not clear. Is it a satire of scientists? Is it a satire of the media? Is it a satire of the military? It may be simply a satire of the modern world in general. Instead of becoming an overnight media sensation, I would be more interested if the group released him into the wilds of his own life. He starts acting crazy. His class becomes popular. He abandons Lisa for hot coeds and then he becomes a media sensation. Alan Arkin is a terrific performer. The story needs to figure out its heart and its soul to bring out the humanity in the alien. There are strange little lines that strike me as hilarious. "Lisa, a lady is dancing with a potholder." It's completely random and the movie probably needs more of that. It's a high concept comedy that is a little too high.
- SnoopyStyle
- Mar 17, 2019
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Simon, der Außerirdische
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 37 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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