'Anything is Possible!'. Review on The Man from Earth Movie

It is rare, very rare for movies to come up with logical explanations which are often a simple truth in history's pages. However, convenience can be an irritant to simple truths of history. Distortions to history have always occurred with different versions spread to focus on specifics. The simple fact of the matter is that we still continue human worship despite playing God ourselves (simulating living cells) We continue to deify people - Buddha, Mahavir, Shirdi Sai Baba, Satya Sai Baba et all despite their preachings. We abhor human worship, yet continue to practice it. I can understand practicing their teachings, but not worshipping the men doing that. Of course, their work, teachings are to be commended. And I definitely love the way Shri Satya Sai has used his office for supplying water to drought prone districts, building hospitals for free treatment. But human worship? Before you guys reload your guns, these are strictly my views. You are welcome not to read this review if you find it a little harsh on your pious sensitivity. I bet next in life for deification - Ramdev and Ravishankar.

MFE belongs to those movies which can influence your thinking with its 'benchpressing logic'. The story revolves around a send off party to John Oldman who is moving out to a distant location having just vacated his professorship. Seeing a few artifacts in his possession, they are kinda curious, one thing leads to another and they start questioning him. He opens up claiming he is a 14000 year old man belonging to the upper paleolithic age, does not profer any proof, instead reasons out events of history to them. How does he manage to convince them all, all of them being experts in their field? More importantly, does he offer proof? The movie could have been made in the vagrancies of time with flecks of action playing the different characters of our CroMagnon man. But truly, that can be done in the subsequent stories of Science Fiction. This movie works mostly since it is drama. (Next, I eagerly await his various characters to play out on screen. Do I see that happening?)

Firstly, MFE has some very important takeaways for managerial graduates. It teaches one the art of selling, more importantly, convincing people. It also raises a very important question - 'Without dissent, how do you measure popular opinion?' The 6 characters in the movie have a hard time believing the story of the 14000 year old caveman (John Oldman) and the various roles he has assumed in his life. However, he manages to convince all with his reasoning and by the end of it, even the most ardently critical person believes his story. John has his task cut out in convincing his close friends in the room. His friends consistently pester him for proof. That's just it. Our friend John does not offer proof. As he says later, 'Even if it were true, a story that goes around the room, what credibility would it have? It would vanish in disbelief.' He does not offer proof of his 14000 years of life. However, his deft reasoning is sound and answers their questions with patience. At one point when confronted, that all the evidence he presented was from text books, he only reasons out, how can I have knowledgeable recall, if I didn't have knowledge? I can present 10000 other details, and you could say all were from the text books.

'I am a Cromagnon man. However, I did not know that till history/rather anthropology gave it a name.'

Mind you, he does not dispute God or faith. Nor is he disputing scientific reasoning. Some key highlights of the movie -- Take on Creation

And Creation? - It's here amongst us who were created.

What then? Maybe it's just cumulated fields affecting fields.

What about the source of the field energy? Wouldn't that imply a prime mover?

I would wonder about the source of the prime mover, but that doesn't imply anything to me. Back to the mystery. There's no reason accepted in history, but if you have faith, that answers your questions.

Take on Religion

Oldman's take on the Christ -

He tried to pass on the Buddhist teachings on in modern form. One dissident against Rome. Rome won. Rest is History. It's an amazing attempt at teaching Buddhism in the West. No wonder he failed. We were not ready for it.

The crucifixion - They tied him. But Nails and Blood make better religious symbols.

Christ figure goes all the way back to Krishna, Hercules. Pagan mythology.

The teachings

Taken alone, the philosophical teachings of Jesus are Buddhism with a Hebrew accent. Kindness, Tolerance, brotherhood, love - a ruthless realism acknowledging that life is as it is, here on earth, here and now. The Kingdom of God meaning Goodness is right here. Or it should be - I am what I am becoming. It is said that Buddha or Jesus would laugh or cry if they knew what was done in their name - Ceremony, rituals, possessions, genuflecting, moaning, toning, venerating, cookies and wine. Everywhere in religions, from exulting life to purging life of joys or sin, Rome did it as grand opera. Supernatural goodness needs a supernatural feeling. Stupid word. Whatever happens, happens whether we believe in it or not.

Three wise men began as a myth about the birth of the Buddha. The old Testament sells Guilt and Fear. The new testament is a good code of Ethics. And what does Jesus have to say to those who find it difficult to believe in him? Believe in what he tried to teach, without rigmorale. Piety is not what the lessons bring to people. It's the mistake they (people) take to the lessons.

There have always been stories of Jesus childhood.

History hates a vaccum. Improvisation, some of it very sincere fills the gaps. It would have been easier to falsify a past back then. A few words...credulity.. Time would do the rest. Look at the Kennedy assassination and what happened in a few short years. It has always been a short step for humankind in deifying fallen leaders.

Music - 'Nothing lasts forever' - Chantelle's song is superb, as with the climactic music when the lead heroine decides to accompany the lead hero.

Warning - Best watched in a contemplative mood, with a crackling fire, and some fine scotch. Thank you Jerome, we will definitely remember your farewell gift.