‘Jules’ Review – An Out of This World Exploration of Loneliness, Connection, And Second Chances

Jane Curtin, Harriet Sansom Harris, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Jade Quon in JULES. (Courtesy of Bleecker Street.)

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the film being covered here wouldn’t exist.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when we all feel alone. Even if we’re surrounded by people who love us, there can be this inescapable void of connection all around. A sense that no matter how hard we try, we can never fully bridge that gap. All of the tragedies of life pile on top of each other to the point that it feels impossible to see the light once again. And in such moments, all it takes is one little thing, one pure connection, to kick us out of that reverie. And it’s that search for connection, for a light in the darkness, that lies at the heart of Jules.

Written by Gavin Steckler and directed by Marc Turtletaub, Jules shines a light on that search for connection – through the lens of a quirky, melancholic little sci-fi film. It’s a quick, gorgeous, strange, and heartfelt story that’s sure to stick with you long after the credits roll.

An Out of this World Story

Milton (Sir Ben Kingsley) lives a life of solitude in a small town. He’s old, widowed, and his children have (mostly) moved on. But one day, his quiet life gets uprooted when a UFO crashes into his backyard, destroying his garden and stranding its pilot. Milton invites the alien, nicknamed Jules (Jade Quon), into his house, quickly befriending the visitor. Each of them brings the other out of their shells, growing closer together; a truly odd couple, you might say. But when the government comes looking for Jules, it’s up to Milton and his neighbors Sandy (Harriet Sansom Harris) and Joyce (Jane Curtin) to keep their extraterrestrial friend safe until he can repair his spaceship. But in a town where everybody knows everything, can anything truly stay a secret?

Jules is one of those movies that defies explanation. It’s funny, yet heartbreaking. Macabre, yet tender and gentle. A quirky piece of science fiction, yet devastatingly human. It offers a sweet, tender examination of loneliness and connection. In a way, it’s very E.T. – but with lonely retirees instead of imaginative children. Underneath all the sci-fi dressing lies this very sweet story about second chances. Second chances at life, second chances at hope, and second chances at friendship. It’s hilarious, heartbreaking, melancholic, and enthralling. It’s a quiet, character-driven tale. One that’s a little bit abstract, a lotta bit strange, and unlike anything else you’re likely to see this summer.

The Search for Connection

At the center of the film are these three retirees – Milton, Sandy, and Joyce. All three of them have lived long lives. And all three now find themselves in various stages of loneliness; spouses gone, strained relationships with kids, you name it. The only thing keeping them anywhere close to sane is their love for their town – and their hopes for its future. Until Jules’ arrival, that is. In a way, Jules offers the trio a blank slate they can project on. Someone to share all their joys, fears, and regrets with. Someone who won’t judge them and who will accept them for who they are. Jules doesn’t just offer them a connection to himself, though. He opens a metaphorical door for them to connect with each other, too.

These are three people who otherwise have little in common. They weren’t friends, as such, before this. At best, you could call them acquaintances. But now? Jules throws that door wide open for them, giving them a second chance at companionship. They’re all so painfully alone until this weird little alien crashes into their lives. And after that, there’s simply no chance of going back. And there’s a very melancholic sweetness to that kind of story. That bittersweet sense of melancholy permeates the film, tying all of its loose ends together in this weird exploration of life’s later years. Steckler and Turtletaub take all of these ideas and amplify them to their most emotional, absurd endpoints – in the best way possible.

Breathtaking Performances

The whole movie is anchored by a bevy of genuinely breathtaking performances. Kingsley gives this delightfully dry, grounded performance that’s equal parts hilarious and utterly heartbreaking. It’s the kind of performance that immediately draws you in. One that makes you truly feel for the guy. Here he is, nearing the end of his life. And he’s utterly alone – even with the occasional visits from his daughter. Kingsley plays that loneliness perfectly, especially as it segues into a more hopeful sense of belonging as Milton connects with the others. Harris and Curtin, too, deliver some excellent performances as Sandy and Joyce, respectively. Both are funny, but always wearing their hearts on their sleeves. It’s a trio of deep, moving performances.

But even among all of that talent, it’s Quon who steals the show. Primarily known for her stunt work, Quon’s quiet, understated performance as Jules holds the film together. She communicates so much emotion with just her eyes, her facial movements, and her body movements – even underneath all of Jules’ (quite remarkable) prosthetic makeup. Jules never speaks, but there’s never a moment where he doesn’t feel wholly alive. Nor is there any point where Jules feels unreadable. Quon sells Jules’ connection to Milton, Sandy, and Joyce too. It’s such an understated performance, one filled with immeasurable amounts of tenderness, childlike wonder, and intelligence. And it’s truly breathtaking to behold.

Final Thoughts

Whatever you’re expecting from Jules, think again. On the surface, it looks like one of those quirky, heartfelt sci-fi comedies – along the lines of a Brian and Charles. And while it does deliver exactly that, it’s also so much more. Jules tells a heartfelt, hilarious, often macabre story about making connections with those around you and finding reasons to keep living as you grow older. It’s a story about hope, friendship, and community. It’s packed with brilliant performances, impressive makeup work, and the kind of weird, quirky story that sticks with you long after the credits roll. Put simply, Jules is unlike anything else you’ll see this summer, and that’s what makes it so special.

Jules debuts in theaters on August 11.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrYm9Shbcs]