The Tomorrow Man
The Tomorrow Man is a 2019 American romantic drama film written and directed by Noble Jones in his feature directorial debut. It stars John Lithgow as Ed Hemsler, a divorced retiree fixated on preparing for a societal collapse, and Blythe Danner as Ronnie Meisner, a widowed compulsive shopper who accumulates unused goods. The story follows their chance encounter in a small American town and the tentative romance that develops as they navigate each other's idiosyncratic lifestyles.[1][2] The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 30, 2019, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 22, 2019, distributed by Bleecker Street. Supporting roles are played by actors including Sophie Thatcher, Derek Cecil, Katie Aselton, and Eve Harlow, who portray family members and friends influencing the protagonists' lives. With a runtime of 94 minutes and a PG-13 rating, it explores themes of aging, loneliness, and human connection in later life.[3][4][5] Critically, The Tomorrow Man garnered mixed reviews, with praise centered on the chemistry and nuanced performances of Lithgow and Danner, though some critics found the script predictable and the pacing uneven. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 43% approval rating from 56 critics, with the consensus noting that "John Lithgow and Blythe Danner are almost enough to save The Tomorrow Man, but their efforts are overwhelmed by a problematic story." The film earned $354,103 at the North American box office and became available for streaming on platforms like Netflix in subsequent years.[3][6]Synopsis
Plot summary
Ed Hemsler is a retired systems analyst from a ball-bearing factory living alone in a small American town, where he maintains a rigid routine centered on preparing for an apocalyptic event he believes is imminent. Each morning, he watches the local news obsessively, interpreting reports as signs of societal collapse, and sends daily emails to his adult children detailing conspiracy theories and urgent warnings. He drives his old pickup truck to stockpile non-perishable food, water, and supplies in a hidden basement bunker, while eating lunch every day at the same local diner.[7][8][9] At the diner, Ed notices Ronnie Meisner, a widow in her seventies who also frequents the spot but sits alone, quietly managing her life as a compulsive shopper. Ronnie fills her home and garage with unused appliances, clothing, and gadgets bought on impulse as a way to cope with the loss of her husband and daughter. After several encounters, Ed musters the courage to speak with Ronnie, leading to flirtatious conversations that evolve into a first date, where they bond over shared loneliness and small-town familiarity.[3][8][9] As their romance progresses through casual dinners and drives, conflicts emerge from their contrasting coping mechanisms: Ed's disciplined prepping clashes with Ronnie's chaotic hoarding. Ed invites Ronnie to see his meticulously organized bunker, which overwhelms her with its stark utilitarianism, while Ronnie shows Ed her garage overflowing with untouched purchases, prompting his disapproval of the wastefulness. Ed's daughter, Janet, and teenage granddaughter, Jeanine, arrive for a visit, alarmed by his isolation and paranoia; they encourage him to embrace the relationship and tone down his doomsday focus.[7][8][10] Tensions culminate during a Thanksgiving dinner at Ed's son Brian's house, where Ronnie attends as Ed's guest and Ed's insistence on contingency plans for potential disasters sparks an argument with the family, exposing insecurities and leading to a breakup as both retreat to their solitary habits. However, when Ed suffers a health scare that lands him in the hospital, he reaches out to Ronnie for support, and they navigate the situation together. This shared experience fosters mutual understanding and compromise; Ed begins to appreciate Ronnie's warmth amid his preparations, while Ronnie values his reliability. In the end, they reaffirm their commitment, choosing to invest in their partnership over their individual obsessions.[9][8][7]Cast and characters
The film stars John Lithgow as Ed Hemsler, a retired factory worker and divorced father who obsessively prepares for an impending societal collapse, driven by his belief in various conspiracy theories and a desire for self-sufficiency. Lithgow, known for his dramatic roles in films like Terms of Endearment and television series such as 3rd Rock from the Sun, brings a nuanced portrayal to Ed's isolation and rigid worldview, emphasizing the character's vulnerability beneath his preparedness routine.[2][7][11] Blythe Danner portrays Ronnie Meisner, a widowed retiree and compulsive shopper who hoards items as a way to cope with personal loss, frequenting local diners and maintaining an emotionally guarded demeanor. Danner's subtle expressiveness, honed through her stage work and roles in films like The Prince of Tides, captures Ronnie's quiet resilience and reluctance to form deep connections, contributing to the film's exploration of late-life romance.[2][3][6]| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| John Lithgow | Ed Hemsler | Retired prepper and conspiracy enthusiast, isolated by his obsessive planning. |
| Blythe Danner | Ronnie Meisner | Widowed hoarder and diner regular, guarded due to past emotional trauma. |
| Derek Cecil | Brian | Ed's adult son, pragmatic and frustrated by his father's extreme views. |
| Katie Aselton | Janet | Ed's daughter, concerned and practical, often intervening in family matters. |
| Sophie Thatcher | Jeanine | Ed's teenage granddaughter, tech-savvy and rebellious, representing younger generational perspectives. |
| Eve Harlow | Tina | Ronnie's young employee at a local gift shop, offering modern advice on relationships. |
| Wendy Makkena | Beverly | Ed's ex-wife, appearing briefly to underscore past family dynamics. |