Watch The Brother from Another Planet

The Brother from Another Planet is a science fiction film from 1984 written, directed, and edited by John Sayles. It stars Joe Morton in the lead role, along with Daryl Edwards and Rosanna Carter. The movie is centered around an extraterrestrial, identified only as "The Brother", who crashes into Earth and jumps off his spaceship near Ellis Island, New York.

The Brother, portrayed by Morton, is a mute, six-foot-five humanoid with a distinct golden codependent pair of antennas on each side of his head. As he takes his first steps on Earth, he is immediately struck with the cultural differences and social expectations between his home planet and Earth. The Brother has the ability to read people's minds and emotions, giving him a unique perspective on Earthling behavior.

As he navigates the streets of Harlem, he encounters various inhabitants who are initially wary of him but ultimately accept him as he is. Despite being unable to communicate verbally, his innate kindness, empathy, and healing powers allow him to connect with people on a deeper level. He makes friends with a group of West Indian immigrants who run a local bar and a librarian named Randy, who eventually becomes his romantic interest.

Throughout the movie, The Brother's story is interspersed with flashbacks that reveal his past and his reasons for fleeing his home planet. His intention in coming to Earth was to escape from the conflict between his race and a rival group known as the Thorians. The Thorians are led by The Brother's cruel and manipulative brother, who is determined to capture The Brother and use his powers to advance his own agenda.

The film touches on various societal themes such as racism, slavery, drug addiction, and police brutality. The Brother encounters several challenges throughout the movie, including being targeted by corrupt police officers and being captured by a group of scientists who want to experiment on him. However, his resilience and the support he receives from the people he meets empower him to overcome these obstacles.

The Brother from Another Planet is a unique and interesting take on the alien sci-fi genre. It is a heartwarming story of a stranger in a strange land who ultimately finds acceptance and belonging. It is a powerful commentary on human behavior and the importance of understanding, tolerance, and compassion. The film's subtle humor and brilliant performances by the cast make it an entertaining and thought-provoking movie that is well worth watching.

The Brother from Another Planet is a 1984 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 70.