It's common for older people to experience periods of isolation, often longing for any kind of connection—even just someone willing to listen to their stories. This feeling applies to Milton Robinson (Ben Kingsley), an elderly widower seemingly experiencing the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s who lives alone in a small town in western Pennsylvania. His limited social circle consists mainly of his daughter (Zoe Winters) and two older friends (Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Curtin) whom he sees at weekly town council meetings. Everything shifts when a UFO unexpectedly crashes into his backyard azaleas, inadvertently linking him with an alien who appears understanding and doesn’t speak, which Milton and his companions affectionately name Jules (Jade Quon). This strange bond gives Milton and his friends a way to openly discuss their feelings about loneliness, aging, regrets, and other personal matters—Jules acting as an unusual confidant. The question becomes whether this connection can remain hidden, particularly when Milton unintentionally reveals details that attract the attention of townspeople and government officials. Director Marc Turtletaub's film offers a gentle look at what it’s like to be older in America, presented from an atypical perspective filled with warmth, sensitivity, quirky humor, and surprising twists, all thanks to the talented cast. Despite this, the writing, pacing, and character development—including Milton’s—feel inconsistent. While the comedy-drama clearly has good intentions, it gives the impression that further script work would have improved it. The film seems to borrow elements from movies like “Cocoon” (1985) and “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” (1982), blending them into its own narrative, but this essential part of the story never fully comes together or feels completely realized. That’s disappointing, especially considering the producers were responsible for films such as "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) and “The Farewell” (2019).

Source on TMDB