April 24, 2020 – The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) Criterion Channel
What a disappointment this movie was. I have wanted to see The Man Who Fell to Earth for as long as I can remember. I always imagined that this movie was stylish, slightly obscure, and very deep. Could anything be more stylish than a movie starring David Bowie as an alien trying to make his way forward on Earth? Yes, it turns out: many things can be more stylish. Perhaps this movie was stylish in 1976, but viewed today it just looks amateurish. Perhaps this movie was deep in 1976, but watched now it seems shallow and obvious. If you want heady and stylish, watch instead Ex Machina or Devs, both directed by Alex Garland.