Jules (2023)
The Story
Milton lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but he finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard. Before long, Milton develops a close relationship with the extra-terrestrial he calls “Jules.” Things become complicated when two neighbors discover Jules and the government quickly closes in.
Keywords: aging, alien, bleeker street, family, friendship, health, mental health, scifi, space
Initial Thoughts
Once a week, Milton goes to the town council to complain about the town motto and crosswalks. Then one week, he shortens his usual laundry list of problems so he can squeeze in the news that a UFO has landed in his garden and ruined his azaleas, and the alien from the spacecraft is on the ground, face down in his backyard. Except no one believes him. Milton is in his mid-70s and starting to forget things, so the people in his world just think he’s going bonkers. He’s alone, his adult children are busy with their own lives, and no one wants to help him (not even when he calls 911), so he covers the alien with a blanket and offers it water and food. Soon the alien is walking around and fixing his vehicle. He also draws pictures of cute cat faces for Milton, which Milton hangs on his fridge like a proud papa. By helping the alien, Milton finds purpose and meaning in his life, and he is able to connect with two other older women in town who also need someone to listen and give them some attention. Jules is simple and slow, but calculated and refined in its delivery. No high-speed car chases with the police, no screaming in fear. If aliens ever do make themselves known on Earth, I do hope they first meet up with a calm older person like Milton who will show them kindness and hospitality.
The Deets
Rating: PG-13
Concerns: Strong Language
Runtime: 1h 30m
Genre: Sci-fi, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (US Theaters): August 11, 2023 Limited
Main Cast
Ben Kingsley as Milton
Jane Curtin
Harriet Sansom Harris
Zoë Winters
Donald Paul
Production & Crew
Distributor: Bleecker Street
Production Co: Big Beach Films
Director(s): Marc Turtletaub
Producer(s): Marc Turtletaub, Michael B. Clark, Alex Turtletaub, Deborah Liebling, Andrew Daly
Writer(s): Gavin Steckler
Cinematography: Randall Richards
Music: Volker Bertelmann
Editor: Ayelet Gil Efrat
Hair/Makeup Lead: Gladys Casiano
Costumes: Stacy Jansen