I had never heard of this film, until a friend just mentioned I should see it. I'm so glad I did; it's just lovely; part children's film and bedtime story, part fantasy biopic of NYC Bluegrass band Future Folk (I assume fantasy!) and also a low budget but well produced/directed, uplifting sci-fi film. I would recommend for anyone who likes gentle comedy and a rather sweet storyline about music, what's great about humans and saving the planet (planets, more accurately; Hondo and Earth!)
Firstly, the music in this film is brilliant. The medley of music that General Trius plays for Kevin when he first arrives is incredibly accomplished, and I was gripped from then on. I admit that a bit before that I was "What on earth is going on here!?" as I had no preconceived ideas/awareness of the film. It is simply filmed, as I said low budget, no bells and whistles but everything that is SFX whilst simple is effective and the film meanders along from a babbling brook to a decent sized river at the end when the action heats up reminiscent of good (cheesy) 80s sci-fi but more up to date, and 50s band/musician/star vehicles. But for all the simplicity and lack of budget it is very professionally done.
The lead Nils d'Aulaire (General Trius/Bill) is gorgeous and compelling, elegant and just super cute with his daughter Wren, played by Onata Aprile, who isn't the best child actress I've ever seen but was good and there was great chemistry between her and d'Aulaire. D'Aulaire is only listed as being part of this project so far on IMDb but Jay Klaitz who played Kevin, the second alien from Hondo is known for more and his acting was more fluid and more in the style of mainstream-film; he was funny, the "plucky comic relief" with d'Aulaire being the brains and the action, and his scenes were possibly the most entertaining. The best scene was without doubt the fight/dance scene - d'Aulaire's physicality and strength in a convincingly choreographed fight interposed with Klaitz's surprise demonstration of some quite elegant passionate Tango, also well choreographed, with April L Hernandez as Carmen the cop, earthling love interest. Bill's wife Holly was played by familiar face Julie Ann Emery and she seemed comfortable in the role, and well cast as the earthling who stole his heart/groupie.
Overall, an uplifting satisfying film. Gentle, sweet, funny without anything shocking or gratuitous, suitable for the whole family but entertaining and enjoyable. It's a good film, in terms of moral content and also feel-good factor. Well worth the view. Recommend.
