Year: 2000
Runtime: 105 min
Language: English
Director: Mike Nichols
Budget: $60M
An extraterrestrial emissary named Harold arrives on Earth with a singular mission: to reproduce. He partners with his human friend Perry and they begin a search for a suitable mate in Phoenix, Arizona. Their journey leads them to encounter a variety of women, each presenting unique challenges and humorous situations as Harold attempts to understand human courtship and find the perfect match for his unusual quest.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of What Planet Are You From? (2000), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
In a remote universe, a solitary planet is the realm of a sophisticated society composed of hyper-evolved males, ruled by the mysterious Graydon. He sends one of these beings, known as Harold (played by Garry Shandling), on a bold adventure: to infiltrate Earth, find a human female, and successfully impregnate her before returning with the newborn.
Harold’s earthly journey commences in Phoenix, Arizona, where he adopts the identity of Harold Anderson and secures a position at a local bank. Here, he encounters Perry Gordon, a charming colleague who attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings primarily for the company rather than support. Harold joins Perry at one such gathering, where they meet Susan, a recovering addict working through her sobriety challenges.
Before pursuing his mission, Harold realizes he must first solidify his bond with Susan by exchanging vows in a Vegas wedding ceremony. As they embark on their new life together, Susan is astonished by her own joy in Harold’s affections, oblivious to the fact that men from his planet differ anatomically. Harold is equipped with a prosthetic penis that emits a distinctive whirring sound whenever he becomes aroused.
However, the journey to parenthood proves to be fraught with challenges for the couple. Meanwhile, Roland Jones, an FAA employee, becomes fixated on discovering Harold’s extraterrestrial secret after witnessing his odd behavior during a flight. Roland aims to be the first to reveal Harold’s otherworldly identity.
The birth of their child compels Harold to abandon Susan and return to his home planet as ordered by Graydon. Yet, the guilt and inner turmoil he faces lead him to defy his superior’s orders, choosing instead to return the child to Susan and revealing the truth of his intentions. Susan is left bewildered and torn between feelings of betrayal and gratitude.
In a moment of raw honesty, Harold wishes to demonstrate his alien origins, but Roland intervenes just as the revelation occurs. Rather than embracing Harold’s return or forgiving his past, Susan breaks down, realizing that her life was turned upside down upon marrying an extraterrestrial being. With a heavy heart, Harold leaves, shattering the remnants of their relationship.
As they exit, Harold’s confrontation with Roland unfolds like a scripted drama. Roland’s smug expression revealed his confidence in having uncovered Harold’s true identity as an alien. He convinces Harold to join him in addressing Susan, who still harbors doubts about Harold’s nature. Yet, before they can reveal the truth, Graydon appears, ready to reclaim his subject.
A tense showdown ignites as Graydon brandishes advanced weaponry, asserting his intent to take Harold back. Showing courage, Roland fires, hitting Graydon squarely in the chest, leaving him to fall lifeless into a fountain.
As the tension dwindles, Susan steps forward, suggesting a truce and encouraging the couple to “patch things up.” With Graydon’s lifeless body removed by Roland, Harold and Susan renew their vows in a heartfelt ceremony—a vision Susan had long dreamed of. The journey home is filled with reflection as Harold shares his impending call to leadership back on his planet. Yet, Susan firmly decides she won’t uproot her life or friends, voicing her concerns about the complexities of the local education system.
In a moment of compromise, Harold concedes to endure the long commute, hoping to keep their love intact despite the vast distances that lie ahead.
Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 18:20
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Playful sci-fi stories where aliens hilariously struggle with human customs.If you enjoyed the quirky charm of What Planet Are You From?, you'll like these movies. They feature friendly aliens on humorous missions, navigating the complexities of human culture with a lighthearted and optimistic feel, perfect for fans of gentle sci-fi comedy.
Stories in this thread follow a non-threatening alien protagonist arriving on Earth with a specific, often humorous, goal. The central conflict comes from their culture shock and the gap between their logical worldview and human emotionality, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings that ultimately teach them about human connection.
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The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often an outsider or someone with a rigid worldview, embarking on a mission to find romance or partnership for practical reasons. The plot follows their comedic failures and growing emotional investment as they meet potential partners, culminating in them choosing love over duty and achieving a HAPPY ending.
Movies here share a STEADY pacing, STRAIGHTFORWARD complexity, and a LIGHT emotional weight. They combine a strong romance plot with situational comedy, creating a specific vibe of an optimistic, funny journey where the central tension is between following a plan and following one's heart.
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