The Tomorrow Man
by Karen Pecota
In collaboration with Anonymous Content and James Schamus, award-winning filmmaker Noble Jones writes, directs and heads the cinematography department with his first feature film in The Tomorrow Man starring award-winning actors John Lithgow and Blythe Danner.
Jones' slow-pace narrative is a tale of two unlikely elderly widowers who grow to share a unique bond of love that gives each permission to keep their quirky identity. The bond is not automatic but in time their answer to old-age loneliness takes an unusual twist. Ed Hemsler (John Lithgow) spends his retirement years preparing for a disaster that may never transpire. Ronnie Meisner (Blythe Danner) spends her years of retirement collecting things she doesn't need nor may never use.
These two mature adults meet by accident when Ed happens to notice her careful shopping habits in the local grocery store of their small rural town. As a preference, both live very private lives due to their idiosyncrasies. It's their happy place and each prefer to not sharing their interests until their unique encounter creates an irresistible longing to be together.
Jones talks about the reason he writes such a compelling narrative as he looks at life from a product of the 70s from New York to a different type of person living in the mid-western part of the United States. After spending some time in North Dakota, he notes, "Coming face to face with the breathtaking expanse of raw land and the people that tamed it made me think of a different era." Jones continues, "An era of great uncertainty but also great determination." Adding, "The kind of determination that comes from facing very difficult times and learning to come to terms with them."
The filming of The Tomorrow Man with Jones at the helm had its challenges (wearing three different hats) but more than not was the energy it fostered. The communication with his cast and crew were essential to the success of the project. During the shooting, Jones shares these words with his crew so they understand his motive. "There is no present, only the past and the future." Jones says, and explains, "What I meant was that the place I imagined was set in a different time and populated by a people that grappled with a fast-approaching future." Continuing, "In this new world, these two lovably flawed people who once found solace in consumer goods, will instead find comfort in each other." Adding, "Together they will face the uncertain future with a smile on their face and love in their hearts."
