"The Earthling" is one of William Holden's last films. He was getting older and would a bit prematurely after a fall in his California home. So, perhaps it's fitting then that in this film, Holden's character is dying from cancer. Instead of staying in town and getting treatment, he decides to head back into the outback and die on his own. However, his plan goes a bit awry, as he stumbles upon a young kid (Ricky Schroder) whose parents were just killed. He cannot just leave the kid, as this family was vacationing in the middle of no where---and the child would most certainly die if he doesn't help him. But, instead of being a nice guy about it, Holden's character is quite gruff--apparently in order to toughen the kid up and get him to become self-sufficient. Together, eventually, they form a sort of bond.
So why do I say that the film is good but not great? Well, the film just ends and you really have no idea if the child ever makes it--after all, he's hundreds of miles from civilization! This unsatisfying ending does not ruin the film but it does have an impact. Fortunately, the acting is pretty good but unfortunately, it's set in Australia and NEITHER of the characters sound the least bit Australian....oops!
So why do I say that the film is good but not great? Well, the film just ends and you really have no idea if the child ever makes it--after all, he's hundreds of miles from civilization! This unsatisfying ending does not ruin the film but it does have an impact. Fortunately, the acting is pretty good but unfortunately, it's set in Australia and NEITHER of the characters sound the least bit Australian....oops!