Changes

The movie begins on an outdoor scene as Dr. John Oldman prepares to leave, packing many of his belongings in the back of the car. It does not mention where he plans to go; neither does he mention it to his friends. First to arrive at his house is his friend Dan, a fellow faculty member and anthropologist. Next are his friends Edith, another peer and Christian literalist, Harry, a biology professor, and his love interest, Sandy, a historian. Next to his car, Edith notices a "copy" of a Van Gogh work, addressed to one "Jacques Borne"; John insists its a copy, and nothing more.

The movie begins on an outdoor scene as Dr. John Oldman prepares to leave, packing many of his belongings in the back of the car. It does not mention where he plans to go; neither does he mention it to his friends. First to arrive at his house is his friend Dan, a fellow faculty member and anthropologist. Next are his friends Edith, another peer and Christian literalist, Harry, a biology professor, and his love interest, Sandy, a historian. Next to his car, Edith notices a "copy" of a Van Gogh work, addressed to one "Jacques Borne"; John insists its a copy, and nothing more.

The first note of John's "specialness" is when Edith commits, in a jovial manner, how John doesn't look any older than when he first arrived 10 years ago, while his friends and colleagues have. In addition, his friends find two artifacts around his house of interest--a stone carved (that he insists he got at a thrift shop), and what looks to be a finely carved bow.  

The first note of John's "specialness" is when Edith commits, in a jovial manner, how John doesn't look any older than when he first arrived 10 years ago, while his friends and colleagues have. In addition, his friends find two artifacts around his house of interest—a stone carved (that he insists he got at a thrift shop), and what looks to be a finely carved bow.  

Lastly, his friend and fellow professor Art Jenkins and his student Linda arrive, also wishing to celebrate. John, realizing this and wanting to leave them off as his true self, proposes the hypothetical question--what if a man from the upper Paleolithic survived until the present day? What would he be like?

Lastly, his friend and fellow professor Art Jenkins and his student Linda arrive, also wishing to celebrate. John, realizing this and wanting to leave them off as his true self, proposes the hypothetical question—what if a man from the upper Paleolithic survived until the present day? What would he be like?

His friends play along, each proposing new ways--he would learn, he would look like us as well. Dan proposes that he would be just as intelligent, and would learn through the races as one man. Slowly, the question goes to Harry, the biologist, who says, in response as to what would keep this hypothetical caveman alive, replies: "Cigarettes and ice cream." He then contends that it would in fact be perfect cellular generation, and that the human body, as we see it, is designed to last up to 190 years.

His friends play along, each proposing new ways—he would learn, he would look like us as well. Dan proposes that he would be just as intelligent, and would learn through the races as one man. Slowly, the question goes to Harry, the biologist, who says, in response as to what would keep this hypothetical caveman alive, replies: "Cigarettes and ice cream." He then contends that it would in fact be perfect cellular generation, and that the human body, as we see it, is designed to last up to 190 years.

Did he do something right? Did he do something no one else did?

Did he do something right? Did he do something no one else did?

John, sensing this would be a good time, slowly reveals his intentions--responding for shock that he had a chance to travel with Columbus, although he wasn't sure if the Earth was flat or not.

John, sensing this would be a good time, slowly reveals his intentions—responding for shock that he had a chance to travel with Columbus, although he wasn't sure if the Earth was flat or not.

His friend stood aghast, wondering if this was a joke or not. As such, he reveals his intentions: he is that caveman. Still, he tells them to play along, until letting out a primordial grunt, to the chagrin of his friends.

His friend stood aghast, wondering if this was a joke or not. As such, he reveals his intentions: he is that caveman. Still, he tells them to play along, until letting out a primordial grunt, to the chagrin of his friends.

While his friends, being very educated, are skeptical of his claims; much of his memory can be found in any textbook.

While his friends, being very educated, are skeptical of his claims; much of his memory can be found in any textbook.

Edith remembers the Van Gogh painting outside, and asks if it is real or not (since John would certainly be old enough to know Van Gogh). John replies, yes--he was under the guise of Jacques Borne, a pig farmer. After Van Gogh's death, about 1890, he says he moved to America, an explanation to the lack of an accent.

Edith remembers the Van Gogh painting outside, and asks if it is real or not (since John would certainly be old enough to know Van Gogh). John replies, yes—he was under the guise of Jacques Borne, a pig farmer. After Van Gogh's death, about 1890, he says he moved to America, an explanation to the lack of an accent.

The conservation between his friends is cyclidic; passing to Linda, the most credulous at 22, asks as to the reason he does not recall where he was from. Countering her, he replies that there is a lack of any landmarks--wilderness has been replaced by "freeways, urban sprawl, Big Macs under the Eiffel Tower."

The conservation between his friends is cyclidic; passing to Linda, the most credulous at 22, asks as to the reason he does not recall where he was from. Countering her, he replies that there is a lack of any landmarks—wilderness has been replaced by "freeways, urban sprawl, Big Macs under the Eiffel Tower."

While most of the group wants to hear him out, entertained, during a leave of absence Art calls his psychiatrist friend, the aging Dr. Gruber, part concerned, part confused about John. Dr. Gruber arrives, the conversation progressing in a manner that greatly disturbs and depresses him; his wife just recently died, and the fact that someone around him will never die is too much. His presence climaxes as he threatens to shoot John, eventually calming down and leaving. However, John, fearing that he may commit suicide, asks before he leaves to take his loaded gun.

While most of the group wants to hear him out, entertained, during a leave of absence Art calls his psychiatrist friend, the aging Dr. Gruber, part concerned, part confused about John. Dr. Gruber arrives, the conversation progressing in a manner that greatly disturbs and depresses him; his wife just recently died, and the fact that someone around him will never die is too much. His presence climaxes as he threatens to shoot John, eventually calming down and leaving. However, John, fearing that he may commit suicide, asks before he leaves to take his loaded gun.

After heated debate, Dr. Gruber returns, still concerned but not suicidal. He implores John to end his charade, and, at the expense of his credibility, convinces his friends that this was nothing but a story, and all of his friends were players. This infuriates most of them, and after Dan calls him an explicative, they calm down. Edith, like "a good Christian", forgives him, and all his friends except Sandy wish him goodbye.

After heated debate, Dr. Gruber returns, still concerned but not suicidal. He implores John to end his charade, and, at the expense of his credibility, convinces his friends that this was nothing but a story, and all of his friends were players. This infuriates most of them, and after Dan calls him an explicative, they calm down. Edith, like "a good Christian", forgives him, and all his friends except Sandy wish him goodbye.

Sandy, using her intuition, figures out that he is telling the truth, John would never "use people, or abuse their good will". Unlike the others, he caves and admits it, telling her many of his other "pun" names: John Palee, for Paleolithic, John Savage, and 60 years ago, John Thomas Parti, John T. Parti. Unbeknownst to John, Dr. Gruber stands behind him in clear shock--John T. Parti, a chemist at Harvard, was his father. Horrified at the prospect, he admits this, supplying facts that no one but Gruber's family would know.

Sandy, using her intuition, figures out that he is telling the truth, John would never "use people, or abuse their good will". Unlike the others, he caves and admits it, telling her many of his other "pun" names: John Palee, for Paleolithic, John Savage, and 60 years ago, John Thomas Parti, John T. Parti. Unbeknownst to John, Dr. Gruber stands behind him in clear shock—John T. Parti, a chemist at Harvard, was his father. Horrified at the prospect, he admits this, supplying facts that no one but Gruber's family would know.

However, the shock of this information is too much to bear, and Dr. Gruber has a heart attack. The movie, however, ends on a brighter note, as he decides to spend her life with Sandy.

However, the shock of this information is too much to bear, and Dr. Gruber has a heart attack. The movie, however, ends on a brighter note, as he decides to spend her life with Sandy.

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{{DEFAULTSORT: Man from Earth, The}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Man from Earth, The}}

[[Category:Science fiction]][[Category:Movies]]

[[Category:Science fiction]][[Category:Movies]]