What Planet Are You From?

What Planet Are You From? is a charming and hilarious science-fiction comedy film produced in 2000, starring Garry Shandling, Annette Bening, and John Goodman. Hailing from the fertile mind of director Mike Nichols, this movie effectively combines extraterrestrial antics with everyday human situations in a fun, light-hearted manner.

The movie presents us with a unique concept, wherein the story introduces us to an advanced yet emotionless alien race from an all-male planet who have managed to master all aspects of technology, science, and wisdom. But they find themselves lacking in one aspect— the ability to have children. Thus begins the amusing journey of Harold Anderson (played by Garry Shandling), an alien who is surgically endowed with reproductive organs and sent down to Earth in human form to find a female to procreate with, producing a hybrid that will be the beginning of their race's ability to self-reproduce.

Full of comedic elements, this movie takes us through Harold’s amusing transition from a mechanical alien adopting human life to a man learning about human culture and emotions. As part of the process, Harold has to figure out how to interact with humans and must adapt to their ways to accomplish his mission, which includes getting a job in a bank in Phoenix, Arizona.

However, Harold's robotic, alien ways do not go unnoticed, notably by his brisk mannerisms, absurd ways, and his lack of normal human reactions. Making matters even more amusing, to make his human guise more convincing, his creators equip him with a rather eccentric functioning - he hums like a refrigerator whenever he gets sexually excited.

Annette Bening plays Susan, a lovely but lonely real estate titan who captures Harold's attention. Susan is simultaneously going through her own set of problems dealing with her history of failed relationships and struggling with alcoholism. Despite Harold's alien nature, an unexpected bond forms between him and Susan. With the alien unfamiliar with human relationships and the woman's fractured past, their connection becomes the heart of the story, bringing an element of heartfelt emotion.

Meanwhile, the audience is also introduced to Perry, portrayed by a brilliant and captivating John Goodman. Perry serves as the movie's secondary storyline as an FAA regulator who becomes suspicious of Harold's bizarre behavior, instigating a thrilling, comedic cat-and-mouse game that keeps the narrative engaging throughout the movie.

What Planet Are You From? thrives on an excellent ensemble cast, including Greg Kinnear, Ben Kingsley, and Linda Fiorentino, whose exceptional performances perfectly champion the movie’s comedic spirit. Besides its star-studded cast, the movie's script also effectively weaves comedic elements with touching sentimentality, making it a pleasurable comic romp. The movie provides a fresh, comedic spin on the classic tale of a stranger in a strange land.

Running at 105 minutes, What Planet Are You From? offers a well-blended mixture of comedy, science fiction, and a touch of romance. With its crisp dialogue and intangible yet humorous bond between the characters, the movie explores larger themes such as cultural integration and the exploration of human emotions like love and longing.

The vast appeal of What Planet Are You From? lies in its cheerful premise full of hilarious characters, funny dialogues intermingled with subtle yet significant messages about acceptance, adaptability and the understanding of complex human relationships, making it a delightful watch for those who appreciate light-hearted, comedic science fiction with substantial depth.