The director’s involvement is striking, which prompts some thought, certainly. The film is remarkably well-done, and then you realize John Carpenter has crafted a… a love story—a genuinely touching and lovely one at that. It seems the initial script Carpenter received was quite political; he removed those elements and centered the narrative on the romance, which proved to be an inspired decision both when it was first made and as guidance now. Jeff Bridges delivers a fantastic performance, though it appears he didn’t truly find his footing as an actor until the 1990s. I had completely overlooked this film, but my wife and I recently watched it—we hadn't seen it since the 80s—and rediscovered how exceptional it is. It has aged well; it’s moving, beautiful, and enjoyable... there’s nothing more you could want from a movie.

Source on TMDB