The Tomorrow Man Image

The Tomorrow Man

By Alan Ng | May 1, 2019

I saw a film starring John Lithgow and Blythe Danner. Honestly, I should just end the review there. You know it’s going to be good…like really good. If you have a chance to see Noble Jones’ The Tomorrow Man, by all means, do it. 8 out of 10 stars.

So, now I’m contractually obligated to give a few more details. John Lithgow plays Ed Hemsler, a man who spends most of his time in front of a computer in various doomsday chat rooms. The film opens with Ed on the phone with his son, Brian (Derek Cecil), emphatically warning him to have it get-away pack ready for the big SHTF (S**t-Hit-The-Fan) event. Ed is a hard-core doomsday prepper. He’s rigged the back of his house and turned it into a bunker loaded with more non-perishable food than you can imagine, along with an elaborate generator and exhaust system.

“…a hard-core doomsday prepper. He’s rigged the back of his house and turned it into a bunker…”

When not theorizing on various conspiracy theories, Ed either stays home or heads to the local market for supplies. At the market, he spots Ronnie (Blythe Danner) and immediately takes a fancy to her. He proceeds to semi-stalk her and makes his move by parking his truck too close alongside her car door. He then follows Ronnie to the town gift shop, where she works. Soon persistence pays off and she agrees to dinner and a date.

Eyes locked and sparks fly, the two are officially in love. On the way home, Ronnie tells Ed that she doesn’t want him to go to her place for a very particular, meaningful reason. Instead, they fall asleep on Ed’s couch watching old war movies (at Ronnie’s request). Both Ed and Ronnie are enamored with one another, but both have a pretty big secret that could stand in the way of love. We know Ed’s and if you want to know Ronnie’s read the film synopsis. Otherwise, it might be fun not to spoil it.

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  1. Gloria J. Dancause says:

    I enjoyed my time working with these actors. Amazing talent. Although I saw only one scene, I was moved when it all came together on the big and small screens. ~~ “Gift store customer”

  2. cokeefe says:

    I really like this movie. If you’re into constant action packed scenes, this is not it. It’s a slow paced movie about Ed, a total Prepper, and his girlfriend he mistakenly thinks is a fellow prepper only to find out later she is a hoarder. Both are lonely people obsessed with their own delusions and insecurities, until they meet.

    • Alan Ng says:

      I’m surprised The Tomorrow Man didn’t get much love beyond the festival circuit. It’s such a sweet film.

  3. Rachel Curtus says:

    The ending transformed meh into bleh.

  4. Alan Ng says:

    Everyone dies!

  5. Max Obuszewski says:

    What happens at the end of the film?

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