The Man From Earth, Not Only Jerome Bixby's Last Work But Perhaps His Greatest as Well

Being an Uberfan of Sci-Fi, it is always refreshing to take a break from the mainstream drudgery of big budget, mindless, poorly written, special effects laden, hour and half product placement driven action fest. "The Man From Earth" is a story written in a style regrettably from an era long since past. The movie in essence is nothing more than a play shot on film, where in the characters interaction is immediate and more intense. Bixby, who also wrote for "the Twilight Zone" and "Star Trek" delivered a wonderful screenplay and story in which the subjects of immortality, religion and ultimately death could all be discussed in not only the traditional faith based emotional sense, but also through objective scientific hypothesis.
The story starts out with a group of college professors reluctantly throwing a rushed going away party for one of their long time friends and colleges, John Oldman. They are as upset over the speed of his departure as they are with him giving no reason for why he wants to leave so hurriedly at this point in his public career and private life. None the less they descend on his modest cabin to give him an impromptu going away party as he packs to leave. After some kind prodding and genuine concern, eventually Oldman takes a chance and decides to tell them a unique secret he has never revealed before, that he is in fact actually a 14,000 year old Cromagnon caveman that is basically immortal. Incredulous and offended, his fellow doctors and professors "play" along as he slowly reveals bits and pieces of his many centuries walking the planet. What makes this story so compelling is the spectacular in depth writing that addresses so many potential plot holes that so wantonly peek between the lines of such a complex medium. I was riveted from the beginning all the way to the surprise twist at the end. Sadly this was Bixby's last work to be made since his death in 1998. Modern day screen writers would do well to follow Bixby's work and gives us all a much needed break from the dull, boring crap that the studios keep forcing on us. This movie will keep you thinking long after it has ended. I will definitely be adding this wonderful film to my collection.

Helen predictably hated it. He said it was boring and dumb. All they did was stay in one room and talk, no action, no budget, no cool hard rock soundtrack. He was so pissed I made him sit through this that he hasn't spoken to me in a few days now. I'm sure I can get him to come around though by playing "Total Recall" or "Flesh Gorden" for him.