Jules movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Jules

This gentle sci-fi comedy releases in theaters on August 11, 2023

RATING: PG-13 (It should be Rated R but only because there were multiple F-bombs)

LENGTH: 1 hour 27 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about an alien who crash-lands in the backyard of an old man in Pennsylvania. Two of his senior neighbors discover what happened and, together, they try to help the alien return to his home before the government closes in on their new friend.

The inventive film was directed by Marc Turtletaub, who also co-produced it with a team.

The story was written by Gavin Steckler.

THINGS I LIKED:

I’ve been a huge fan of Ben Kingsley for decades! He is such a chameleon of an actor. For me, that’s the true mark of a great actor. Some actors basically play the same character in every movie, but he completely disappears in every role he takes on.
The rest of the talented cast includes Harriet Sansom Harris, Zoë Winters, and SNL favorite Jane Curtin. The alien was played by Jade Quon. They all do a fantastic job!
The musical score is lovely.
The characters are quirky and immediately endearing.
The director stated in an interview that this story met his two criteria that determined whether or not he would make a particular film:

Is the story about something meaningful enough that the viewer will continue to reflect on it after watching it?
Does the story offer a unique approach to the telling?

The movie was shot in 35 days, but the production was delayed due to the pandemic.
Fun fact: Jade Quon didn’t reveal her portrayal of the alien until she was in full makeup. Needless to say, they were all shocked and surprised.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s very slow moving.
Some viewers might be expecting MORE…sci-fi, plot or even humor. What makes the movie especially touching is that it takes its time to say what it wants to say.