Year: 1984
Runtime: 108 min
Language: English
Director: John Sayles
A silent alien escapes a troubled past and crash-lands in Harlem, New York. He finds work using his advanced technical abilities and begins to build a new life, forming cautious connections with the community. However, his sanctuary is threatened when two agents from his home world arrive, determined to bring him back and force him into servitude. They pursue him relentlessly through the city as he fights to protect his newfound freedom and the people who have shown him kindness.
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A mute space alien crash-lands on Ellis Island after his ship malfunctions. Despite his obvious extraterrestrial nature, which is accentuated by his uniquely three-toed feet, he appears to be a black human man due to his tattered clothing, leading many to mistakenly view him as a homeless individual.
Throughout his journey, his extraterrestrial abilities become evident in various situations. For instance, when he places his hand upon a wall, he hears the echoes of those who once occupied the building, showcasing his empathetic nature. In one notable incident at a local shop, he misunderstands a transaction and starts munching on a head of lettuce and a tomato, both of which highlight his vegetarian diet. Unfortunately, the shopkeeper confronts him in Korean, which prompts him to magically open the cash register and offer her money, ultimately resulting in her alerting the police.
When a police officer pursues him, he effortlessly leaps up to a high ledge, evading capture. This remarkable ability allows him to blend into his surroundings and interact with the eclectic residents of New York City. In a particularly charming encounter, he meets a card trickster on a subway who graciously narrates an amusing tale about face cards, illustrating that some New Yorkers are simply generous-hearted without expecting anything in return.
He finds camaraderie at Odell’s welcoming bar in Harlem. There, with the help of Odell, he secures a home with Randy Sue Carter, a single mother, and her young son. With his knack for healing and repairing things, he impressively fixes an arcade cabinet, boosting its game speed and delighting the bar patrons. This skill leads local resident Sam to offer him a job as a handyman and technician at the video arcade.
As he witnesses the troubling effects of drug use in Harlem, he reveals another extraordinary power: by temporarily detaching one of his eyes, he utilizes it as a video camera, allowing him to pinpoint the source of drug distribution in the neighborhood. This ability aids him in bringing clarity to the dangerous situation surrounding him.
However, trouble looms when two mysterious men in black begin hunting for the mute alien, interrogating those he has befriended in their pursuit to return him to his home planet. The stakes rise dramatically when these men confront the locals in a showdown at Odell’s bar, where the community bands together to protect him from being taken away, standing up for what’s right against external threats.
Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:21
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