Brilliant and Beautiful and Beaucoup Bowie -- You'll be Loving the Alien, although he's A Lad Insane This movie has it all -- sci-fi, sexy David Bowie, drama, sexy David Bowie, pathos, sexy David Bowie, fantasy, sexy David Bowie, sensuality, sexy David Bowie, a character you can feel for and care about -- oh, and let's not forget, sexy David Bowie.
Although the plot can get convoluted, all one has to keep in mind is that Bowie's character, Thomas, is a stranger in a strange land, someone who's different, an alien -- literally. He is an extraterrestrial being who crash landed on earth to look for water to save his homeworld from a drought, becoming a very wealthy fellow from patents, and becoming attracted to a lovely young Earth-maiden (Candy Clark). But try as he might, he can't seem to completely adjust to Earthling folkways, and he knows he's different, and he resents it, and his resentment sours his attempt to save his homeworld and his ability to connect to those in this world, including his own sweetheart.
Looks-wise, David Bowie is a tower of gorgeous here (although when has he ever not been a tower of gorgeous), with his graceful, willowy build, creamy, glowing complexion, jewel-like mismatched-looking eyes, and a glossy crown of strands whose color is between copper and Cheez-Whiz (David Bowie is MADE for orange hair, even if said orange hair IS courtesy of Clairol). The characteristic Bowie beauty of the alien Thomas is stark contrast to his real self, which, while not revoltingly ugly, does NOT look like David Bowie.
The sex scenes are more artistic than crude or pornographic, although during the scene with the pistol, you do see a flash of The Gentleman's "assets." Bowiegasm waiting to happen, although I found the film and Bowie sexy for reasons higher than getting to see his "lowers."
One thing that may disappoint many a fan of the music of this beautiful and gifted fellow is that David, that grand and enchanting monarch of the music world, has nothing to do with this film as far as music is concerned, due to contractual disputes. One interesting thing is that when Bowie-as-Thomas opens his mouth to sing in church, only some strangled, muttering noises emerge from between those rosy lips, being that he's an alien and can't understand the language of Earth. This is a very clever joke, because as any David Bowie fan can opine, The Thin White EMPEROR (duke, my eyelash! Bowie's higher than a duke. Higher even than a king. He's the EMPEROR of rock-n-roll) sings like an angel (am listening to the LOW album as I type this.)
The thing that I loved about this film is that I felt for Thomas's plight, both in connection with his homeworld and in connection with Earth.
A must-see for Bowie fans everywhere.