While in space, an astronaut gets involved in an accident. Waking up in hospital, he is cared for by nice doctors and nice nurses who bring him gossip and flowers and little treats. However, he begins to realize that he is a prisoner. He also begins to realize that he is being interrogated by experts who are strangely interested in Earth technology, especially with regard to space exploration...
According to other reviewers, "The Stranger" is the pilot for a science fiction series which failed to materialise. This certainly is what the movie feels like, from beginning to end. Well, non-end might be more appropriate : one can well imagine twenty episodes with the protagonist moving all over Terra, hiding and running and making both new friends and enemies. So tune in for our next episode, in which our astronaut hero finds shelter with a beautiful and kind-hearted widow before being betrayed to authorities by a jealous suitor ! Can he escape the helicopter men, once again ?
One also gets why this pilot failed to capture hearts or ignite imaginations. The lead actor is likeable enough, but this is very lazy storytelling, with an over-obvious allegory about the free, creative, decent, God-fearing USA versus grey, grim and atheist Communism.
The movie is also lazy in other respects, for instance with regard to world-building. A more intelligent development of the differences and similarities between Earth and Terra (or between the astronaut's home society and his new surroundings) might have yielded some fine twists or some eerie surprises. Or why not throw in a few well-chosen effects ? The scene at the beginning of the movie, in which all three of the Earth astronauts meet with an unexpected incident, certainly could have used some extra colour and excitement.
For those viewers interested in themes like surveillance regimes and totalitarian dictatorships, or in themes like twin worlds and mirror universes : there are far better science fiction stories, books and movies out there. This tepid, pedestrian affair does not deserve your time and attention...
According to other reviewers, "The Stranger" is the pilot for a science fiction series which failed to materialise. This certainly is what the movie feels like, from beginning to end. Well, non-end might be more appropriate : one can well imagine twenty episodes with the protagonist moving all over Terra, hiding and running and making both new friends and enemies. So tune in for our next episode, in which our astronaut hero finds shelter with a beautiful and kind-hearted widow before being betrayed to authorities by a jealous suitor ! Can he escape the helicopter men, once again ?
One also gets why this pilot failed to capture hearts or ignite imaginations. The lead actor is likeable enough, but this is very lazy storytelling, with an over-obvious allegory about the free, creative, decent, God-fearing USA versus grey, grim and atheist Communism.
The movie is also lazy in other respects, for instance with regard to world-building. A more intelligent development of the differences and similarities between Earth and Terra (or between the astronaut's home society and his new surroundings) might have yielded some fine twists or some eerie surprises. Or why not throw in a few well-chosen effects ? The scene at the beginning of the movie, in which all three of the Earth astronauts meet with an unexpected incident, certainly could have used some extra colour and excitement.
For those viewers interested in themes like surveillance regimes and totalitarian dictatorships, or in themes like twin worlds and mirror universes : there are far better science fiction stories, books and movies out there. This tepid, pedestrian affair does not deserve your time and attention...