It Came from the Sky (1999) (TV)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Jack Bender

Writer:

Jack Bender (writer)

Release Date:

15 May 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

This movie is a very compelling love story that is hidden underneath the stress of raising a child who has mental instability...

Cast

Yasmine Bleeth	...	Pepper Upper
Christopher Lloyd	...	Jarvis Moody
John Ritter	...	Donald Bridges
JoBeth Williams	...	Alice Bridges
Kevin Zegers	...	Andy Bridges
Christian Dane	...	Young Andy Bridges
Jonathan Ginsberg	...	Limo Driver (Tony)

Also Known As:

Les visiteurs impromtus (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:R

Company:

Up on the Roof Productions

Quotes:

[to his wife]
Donald Bridges: Andy can do a lot more than you think he can.

Movie Connections:

References It Came from Outer Space (1953)

Soundtrack:

Complicated World

Intense in a subtle way

This is one of those independent movies where you can tell by watching just how much the actors got into the material. Arguably, they all shine magnificently here in this intriguing piece. The vast majority of the action in this movie takes place in the living room and kitchen of a house, and the close proximity of all the characters to one another heightens the tension incrementally, making their moments seem much more real and easy to relate to.

The movie follows a couple, the Bridges, who are growing apart under the stress of taking care of their disabled son. While their marriage is on the brink of collapse, their living room roof literally collapses when a plane carrying a mysterious and wonderfully romantic couple crashes on their house. What happens in the next few hours in the characters' lives is a transformation as they come to terms with their secrets and insecurities.

The acting here is solid by seasoned pros. Bleethe is surprisingly good (I had always assumed she wasn't particularly talented given her "Baywatch" stint, but the girl can actually act), and Ritter and Williams are so convincing, you feel like they are a real estranged couple. Lloyd proves he is even more effective as a dramatic actor than a comedic one (if you can imagine that), and Zegers brings real compassion to his portrayal of a disabled boy without falling into schmaltzy stereotypes we see so often on film.

Kudos to the writing and the casting.