Review:
"The Tomorrow Man"
Release Date: June 7, 2019
Rating: PG-13 Running Time: 94 minutes Yes, the elderly survivalist of The Tomorrow Man is a bit of a kook. But given the uncertain times we live in under President Donald Trump, conspiracy theorist Ed (John Lithgow) may have a perfectly good reason to stockpile food, supplies, and weapons in the event of a swift breakdown of society, the initiation of martial law, or an invasion of the United States by a hostile foreign power. Oddly, though, writer/director Noble Jones’ sweet but slight romantic drama does not seem in exist at a time when a president intentionally provokes unfriendly nations and predicts an outbreak of violence if elections go against him or the Republican Party. This is not to say The Tomorrow Man is not informed by what’s going on politically right now in the United States—it’s just that Jones goes out of his way to avoid acknowledging current affairs. To this end, The Tomorrow Man loses some of its immediacy and relevancy. Also, Jones does not feel the need to make Ed much of a political animal. Ed claims he is as “progressive” as the next guy, but he believes things have gone far. It is unclear what this means as Ed doesn’t express specific reasons why he believes the United States is on the verge of catastrophe. He is not depicted as a racist, an alt-right nut job, or a Bible thumper. “The world, the flesh, and the Devil conspire and things fall apart,” Ed says vaguely. Ultimately, Jones’ decision to position Ed as a harmless old man scared for the future of his country backfires on him. The Tomorrow Man forces us to laugh at Ed as opposed to consider his concerns. Early in The Tomorrow Man, though, Jones offers a hint that Ed could be dangerous. Ed quickly becomes infatuated with a widow, Ronnie (Blythe Danner), he crosses paths with in a supermarket. He’s convinced she is “a fellow traveler” based on her shopping habits. But Ed doesn’t know how to act around people. And he just barges his way into Ronnie’s life so hard and fast that you would not blame Ronnie for calling the cops on a potential stalker. Like Ed, Ronnie is lonely, and she despite Ed’s oafish advance she soon welcomes his attention. The two are made for each other. Ronnie has her own quirks, and despite their obvious differences, they complement each other perfectly. Jones’ thoughts are mostly on developing this fine romance. He displays obvious affection for both Ed and Ronnie, and The Tomorrow Man burns with a desire that that they overcome any obstacles in their path and fall in love. There’s gentle humor to be found in watching these socially awkward outsiders feel each other out and discover that they are not too old to experience love again. Lithgow’s somewhat cartoon-ishly manic approach to Ed stands in contrast with the jittery behavior Danner displays as Ronnie. Together, though, they make for an agreeable couple, one that deserves a shot at happiness together. Assuming, of course, an apocalypse doesn’t wipe them off the face of the earth first. Robert Sims Aired: June 6, 2019 Web site: https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/thetomorrowman |
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