This movie and it's concept reminded me very much of a children's book I wrote and I wondered if the writer and makers of the film struggled as much as I did with how to tell a story with a message. I kept wondering if I had at least succeeded in telling an environmental sci-fi story without clobbering readers to death with my message. I also wondered if it's possible to tell the truth about a terrible situation without being all about the message.I found the film interesting enough to stay with it to the end and I was never bored. There were times when it seemed so professionally done and I found the acting more than satisfying but at other times, it seemed a bit amateurish. Visually, the cinematography is good and it's an enjoyable film to watch. For it's message, I very much want people to see it. I agree with an earlier review that the narrative wasn't needed and didn't add anything to the story. There were some inconsistencies with the narrative that bothered me also. The story is told by a grandmother to her two young grandchildren. The narrative drops off and the viewer begins watching the actual story unfold. I wondered if the grandmother in her telling of events to the children, edited the story for parts where the two main characters of the film work out their sexual relationship.On another note, I could see a correlation between the native music that opens the film and its theme. I assume the music was aboriginal but felt it could have been better at setting the mood and laying down some subliminal connections between the native people of Australia and the mystery surrounding the alien and the truth of her message.All in all, I would recommend it. I wish it were more polished and thought out a bit better at the end but at the same time, it has beauty and worth few films bother to convey.

I'll try, but this is a very unique film with an outstanding cast. It really needs to be seen. Let's just say that had Nick Roeg's The Man Who Fell To Earth worked this well back in 1976 it would be known today for content rather than David Bowie.A&E is showing Epsilon under the title Alien Visitor late at night with a few little censorship blurs to hide Ullie Birve's brief nudity, but if they put it up in prime time unmasked for all the world to see I'll bet they wouldn't get one nasty letter.The plot is similar to TMWFTE or Starman or a dozen episodes of a dozen sci-fi TV shows. A woman from the star (or perhaps planet - we never really know) Epsilon drops in on a lad hiking out in the Australian outback unexpectedly and they fall for each other, but that's where comparisons to most alien visitor plots fade away.The visitor (Birve) is not happy to be stuck on Earth, a planet reviled throughout the universe for its inhabitants' inability to see their inevitable self-destruction. The Earthling (Syd Brisbane) is just an easygoing guy living a simple life and doesn't really register the reason for her distain. Especially after she illustrates her point by jumping him around on his own planet in the wink of an eye and without even the celestial special effect of a Star Trek transporter.Director Rolf de Heer uses fixed camera positions to record time passing rapidly mixed with gentle cuts into long fluid pans that effortlessly move the viewer with the main characters as they explore the Earth. It is a wondrous device, only possible in a movie, and we immediately share the Earthling's sense of amazement at the visitor's power over nature's physical laws but also learn with him that magic is the least important aspect of their encounter.The underlying ecological discourse between the two hasn't lost one bit of relevancy since the film was made in 1995. If anything, the message has become more urgent in the 21st century.Humans are killing the Earth and something must be done about it - by humans.Epsilon is beautifully edited and shot by Tania Nehme and Tony Clark. Director Rolf de Heer also played with sci-fi in Encounter at Raven's Gate (1988).Personally, I'm buying the DVD!

The basic vision of this movie struck me -- and still strikes me -- as an excellent starting point. The cinematography is marvelous and the devotion to environmental and societal questions is admirable. Even without any answers, the importance of the questions the film highlights gives it validity. Unfortunately, the writing and direction left huge holes in the logical development of "She" as an alien character. "The Man" is required to fulfill each of "She's" requirements in thought pattern and relationship development. Unfortunately "She" violates every premise she, herself, dictates. Even "The Man's" most notable leaps in understanding are insulted and demeaned by the alien visitor. When "She" stoops beneath the level of Earth human cruelty by destroying "The Man's" favorite tree (with which he had "shared blood") every supposed superiority of the proposed advanced galactic peoples is totally eradicated. The lesson seems to be that trying to communicate with a less developed individual will destroy your own more delicate feelings and understandings. What could have been a thought provoking challenge to our society wound up being a cheap grouping of pot-shots taken at civilization by childish, dissatisfied, spoiled whiners.

If you liked "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" - you'll probably like this film. Don't look for special effects - it's more about ideas. It's a bit on the preachy side, but it's head and shoulders above most of the easily forgettable movies produced these days. By the way, it doesn't have much action either - just some simply presented ideas worth thinking about.