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The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe

Play trailer Poster for The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe PG-13 1991 1h 46m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Lily Tomlin reprises roles from her 1985 Broadway hit for this feature film version of her comedic one-woman show. She revives the 12 unique characters from the performance, including Trudy, a bag lady who advises extraterrestrials about life on earth; Brandy and Tina, two prostitutes; and Chrissy, an indefatigable aerobics instructor. From adolescent punk rocker to middle-aged farm wife, Tomlin uses a wide variety of different voices to convey a universal message.

Critics Reviews

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Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 08/04/2023
After the first 30 minutes, I found it to be true torture. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Nicole Thorpe Curve 05/23/2022
The film succeeds on many levels. The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe provides laughs aplenty, with Wagner's penchant for one-liners that convey social commentary. Go to Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street 04/06/2022
The film has been very cleverly devised. Go to Full Review Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice 07/19/2003
An appealing screen adaptation of Lily Tomlin's one-woman show Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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georgan g 07/17/2022 This movie is so full of interesting, funny, yet profound material, it needs to be watched more than once. There is a 2nd dvd with special effects which has both Lily and her wife, writer & collaborator, Jane Wagner, talking about each character & more. See more 05/17/2021 such a good f*****g film. lily tomlin is the OG lesbian jesus. See more 05/26/2015 The transition from Tomlin's amazing one woman Broadway show is not without some problems, but John Bailey and Jane Wagner found some creative ideas that work most of the time. What really matters here is not just the witty and intelligent insights from Wagner's script but the artist who so magically communicates them. Lily Tomlin's performance is a force of comic nature. See more 08/02/2011 Saw it a long time now but it was hilarious. Her characters are insightful and funny. See more Read all reviews
The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe

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Cast & Crew

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John Bailey

Director

Lily Tomlin

Actor
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The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe

The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (1991) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lily Tomlin reprises roles from her 1985 Broadway hit for this feature film version of her comedic one-woman show. She revives the 12 unique characters from the performance, including Trudy, a bag lady who advises extraterrestrials about life on earth; Brandy and Tina, two prostitutes; and Chrissy, an indefatigable aerobics instructor. From adolescent punk rocker to middle-aged farm wife, Tomlin uses a wide variety of different voices to convey a universal message.
Director
John Bailey
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Nov 8, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA)
$11.6K
Runtime
1h 46m