What Planet Are You From? (2000)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Garry Shandling (story) &
Michael Leeson (story) ...

Release Date:

3 March 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

To save his planet, an alien must find a woman on Earth to have his baby. There's just one problem.

Plot:

A highly-evolved planet, whose denizens feel no emotion and reproduce by cloning, plans to take over Earth from the inside by sending an operative...

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Banker | Baby | Alien Invasion | Restroom

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Garry Shandling	...	Harold Anderson
Annette Bening	...	Susan Anderson
John Goodman	...	Roland Jones
Greg Kinnear	...	Perry Gordon
Ben Kingsley	...	Graydon
Judy Greer	...	Rebecca
Danny Zorn	...	Randy
Harmony Smith	...	Rita
Richard Jenkins	...	Don Fisk
Linda Fiorentino	...	Helen Gordon
Caroline Aaron	...	Nadine Jones
Nora Dunn	...	Madeline
Cricky Long	...	Janice
Camryn Manheim	...	Alison
Ann Cusack	...	Liz

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Peru:14 | Finland:K-12 | Iceland:L | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | France:U | Germany:12 | Ireland:18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Brillstein-Grey Entertainment

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): One character mentions that he lives in Phoenix AZ, but also adds he has a weekend get-away house in Scottsdale - a Phoenix suburb just ten miles away.

Quotes:

Helen Gordon: You're making a noise.
Harold Anderson: That's my penis. It hums.
Helen Gordon: I guess it doesn't know the words. Well, I can teach it a few.

Movie Connections:

References The Crying Game (1992)

Soundtrack:

All Night Long (All Night)

Space Oddity.

The new film from director Mike Nichols who did such classics as THE GRADUATE, and WORKING GIRL. Now his newest film is a sort of a different pace for him, it's still a comedy but it has science fiction mixed in with it. Nichols newest film is is WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? This is a intresting sort of film since it mixes AMERICAN PIE with MEN IN BLACK. PLANET is about a alien from a planet far away, where there are only men. The leader, (Ben Kingsley)decides that it's time to start breeding and to begin taking over Earth. A alien is chosen, and it's Harold (Garry Shandling), who goes to Earth to help the future of his planet. Harold arrives in Phoenix to find his lucky future mate. He meets a slimy and cold co-worker (Greg Kinnear)who gives Harold tips on how to meet, "one night stand" women. When they go to a alcholic annonymous meeting, Harold meets a woman who he feels fits his profile (Annette Bening). But Harold then discovers what it's really like to live on Earth, and what Earth women are really like. Meanwhile, a Federal Avation Agent (John Goodman) is tracking down the mysterous "jolts" with the airplanes that Harold caused. I did enjoy this film for so many reasons. 1.) It was filmed in Phoenix, (where I live) and it was fun spotting the locations on where they shot the film. 2.) The acting by everyone is good. Garry Shandling does a great job playing the lead. At times he is really give a convincing performance by acting weird, like a alien would. Anette Bening (playing a real estate agent again) is also great, giving a good performance. And I also enjoyed John Goodman as the agent determine to pursade the unwelcome guest. 3.) The cinematography by Michael Ballius and production design by Bo Welch was great, since they also both worked on MEN IN BLACK. 4.) The jokes are very dry in this film, yet they do work and succeed. At times they can be cruel, but they are funny. and 5.) Believe it or not, the film does have a heart in it, which does make it meanningful. For a "screwball" style comedy with very good sets and special effects, PLANET succeeds. However, at time the story does get disjointed and some actors appear and disappear, when you would like to see more of them. But overall, it is entertaining and funny. I don't think teens would enjoy it, but the older adults will giggle as they see the poor reproductive

organ that Shandling's character has. This is a funny film, and I do suggest to catch it when one gets the chance. It's not a classic, but it is very enjoyable. **** (out of five)