I saw this on TV in the 1980's and remember thinking that she was setting herself up for all kinds of ridicule. But she portrays herself in the film, the way I think she did when these events were actually happening to her. It takes a brave person to come out and say they were on a search for evidence of extraterrestrial life, especially when they have the fame and acclaim she does. I loved the casting of Charles Dance, one of my favorite actors, as the married politician she was in love with, but is convinced that they have been together in other "lifetimes" which is why they are so drawn to each other. As most of the other real life characters real names were used, I had to find out who Dance's character was based on, as she doesn't reveal this. It was easy to discover on the Internet, so if you are curious, look there. Playing herself in this film helps the viewer to take it seriously. She is skeptical about the whole alien thing and makes no bones about it. But through her narration she adds an extra "voice" to her thought processes as she extends her search for knowledge. She shows she has an open mind throughout and in turn, that made me take seriously what would be normally a film I might dismiss as fluff. The film is almost impossible to find to purchase. I finally found it on an obscure website. I have watched this film several times now and I see something new in it every time.
If you are looking for a fun, frolicking film, this isn't it.
If you are looking for one person's (albeit famous) journey for meaning in her life, you won't be disappointed.
If you are looking for a fun, frolicking film, this isn't it.
If you are looking for one person's (albeit famous) journey for meaning in her life, you won't be disappointed.