BEYOND THE STARS

US, 1989, 88 minutes, Colour.
Martin Sheen, Christian Slater, Robert Foxworth, Sharon Stone, Olivia D' Abo, F. Murray Abraham.
Directed by David Saperstein.

Beyond the Stars is a small-budget and short science film which, at the end, has more than a touch of science fiction. Those who enjoy science fiction may find the science background not interesting enough and those who like science films may be disappointed by the revelation at the end, the touch of the science fiction.

The film focuses on a teenager, played by Christian Slater, who has difficulties with his father (Robert Foxworth). He then decides that he loves science and maths, wants to become an astronaut. His father sends him to NASA and he encounters the first man on the moon, played by Martin Sheen. Sheen portrays a disturbed man, less affable after his return from the moon, drinking. However, he befriends the teenager and eventually reveals what happened to him on the moon.

There is also a romance subplot with Olivia D' Abo. Sharon Stone also appears as does F. Murray Abraham, making an emotional appeal at the end to save the whale. The film reflects interest in science of the 1980s – which, with the rapid developments in succeeding decades, may seem a touch outdated.

1. Audience interest in science films? Exploration of space? Films about family? The science message, space exploration message, the ‘save the whales’ message.

2. The settings in Oregon, the city, the countryside? Alabama? The scenes in space, the moon? The musical score and the themes?

3. The message about space, the vocation of the astronaut, the desire for adventure? Scientific progress? Ecology? Close encounters?

4. The film’s focus on Eric, his mother, his relationship with Mara? His father and his relationship with Laurie? Eric and his sense of vocation, his school rockets and their destruction, his being suspended? Laurie and her sympathy? His mother sending him to his father? His feeling distant? The meal, Mara and sailing, leaving? His meeting Paul, his hopes, the discussions? The sexual relationship and forgiveness? The return, his work, the bonds with Paul, discussions, vocation? Happy with Mara? Continued clashing with his father? The drink, the secrecy about Laurie? His father changing, his participating, the fight? Hospital? The apology and sailing, the issue of the whales? The rocket and the success? The visit with Paul? Death, funeral, the letter and his gift?

5. Paul, space, on the moon, his discovery, radiation, the aliens? His return from the moon, retiring, his rudeness, drinking? His work, sharing? The party and his drinking, collapse? Sailing, the whale? His death? The letter?

6. Eric’s parents, their clashes? The father, sacked, distant? His resenting his family? The reconciliation?

7. Laurie, a pleasant woman, sympathy?

8. Mara, her love for Eric, their relationship?

9. The speech about saving the whales, ecology?

10. The overall impact of the film – for a teenage audience? For adults?