Milton’s quiet life of routine is upended when a UFO crashes in his backyard. He develops a friendship with the extra-terrestrial it carries, but complications arise when two neighbors discover the alien. A film by Marc Turtletaub, starring Ben Kingsley, Harriet Harris, Jane Curtin, Zoë Winters, and Jade Quon.

In the quaint town of Boonton, senior citizen Milton Robinson (Ben Kingsley) lives alone after the passing of his beloved wife. Devoid of close friends, he finds solace in the occasional visit from his veterinarian daughter, Denise (Zoe Winters, who works at a nearby clinic. She often comes by to assist him with managing his utility bills or fixing his television. When Denise discovers a can of beans in the bathroom cabinet, she inquires about its presence. Milton simply responds that he might get distracted, a cryptic response that arouses her suspicions. She worries that he may be exhibiting signs of senility and suggests a medical checkup, but he adamantly refuses.

Despite his solitude, Milton remains active and engaged in the community. Every week, he attends the city council meeting at the town hall, where he addresses the same issues that others often deem insignificant. For example, he believes that the town’s slogan is ambiguous and that a crosswalk is needed on Trent Avenue.

In the dead of night, Milton is startled awake by a thunderous rumble emanating from his backyard. To his astonishment, a spacecraft crash-landing on his lawn, decimating his prized azaleas. He calls 911 to report the spaceship’s crash. The call operator mistakenly dismisses Milton’s report as a prank. He attempts to reach his daughter, but her phone is unavailable and her voicemail is full. Too frightened to investigate the spacecraft, he retreats to the safety of his home, leaving the cosmic mystery unsolved. He attends the weekly city council meeting and reports on the UFO, but no one appears to take him seriously.

The following day, Milton discovers an injured alien lying motionless on his lawn. With compassion and curiosity, he brings the creature inside and offers it water, which to his astonishment accelerates its recovery. He soon discovers that the alien’s sole sustenance is apples. However, things become increasingly complex when Sandy (Harriet Harris) drops by Milton’s house and discovers the alien’s existence. She urges him to keep the alien a secret. Their secret is short-lived, however, as Milton’s nosy neighbor Joyce (Jane Curtin) sneaks around the house and sees the alien. She quickly becomes part of the group.

Unable to communicate verbally with the alien, Sandy suggests naming him Jules. Jules repeatedly draws a picture of seven cats on a piece of paper, presenting it to Milton with a curious expression. Perplexed, Milton wonders what the significance of the drawing is, or what Jules is trying to convey. Joyce hypothesizes that the drawings may contain clues to help Jules repair his spaceship.

Jules, a heartwarming science fiction comedy directed by American film producer Marc Turtletaub, strikes a delicate balance between humor and heart. While I appreciate the film’s tone and gentle approach to sensitive topics, I find the ending predictable and simplistic, leaving several intriguing questions unanswered. Nevertheless, Jules remains a feel-good film that is definitely worth watching.

Jules had its world premiere at the Sonoma International Film Festival on 22 March 2023, and won Audience Award. The film was theatrically released in the United States on 11 August 2023, by Bleecker Street.