Action is not needed -- but substance and consistency are.

AEEd

The basic vision of this movie struck me -- and still strikes me -- as an excellent starting point.  The cinematography is marvelous and the devotion to environmental and societal questions is admirable.  Even without any answers, the importance of the questions the film highlights gives it validity.  Unfortunately, the writing and direction left huge holes in the logical development of "She" as an alien character.  "The Man" is required to fulfill each of "She's" requirements in thought pattern and relationship development.  Unfortunately "She" violates every premise she, herself, dictates.  Even "The Man's" most notable leaps in understanding are insulted and demeaned by the alien visitor.  When "She" stoops beneath the level of Earth human cruelty by destroying "The Man's" favorite tree (with which he had "shared blood") every supposed superiority of the proposed advanced galactic peoples is totally eradicated.  The lesson seems to be that trying to communicate with a less developed individual will destroy your own more delicate feelings and understandings.  What could have been a thought provoking challenge to our society wound up being a cheap grouping of pot-shots taken at civilization by childish, dissatisfied, spoiled whiners.

score /10

AEEd 29 July 2003

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0361179/