The great Academy Award-winner Sir Ben Kingsley leads a strong cast in the modest science-fiction/fairy tale “Jules.” Written by TV veteran Gavin Steckler (“Review”) and directed by well-known indie producer Marc Turtletaub (“Little Miss Sunshine”), “Jules” tells the quirky tale of an old man who lives on his own in a leafy suburb (“Jules” was shot in Boonton, N.J.), where the highlight of his week is the town meeting at which he recommends a new crosswalk and a change to the town’s perfectly suitable slogan. Also certain to be at the town meeting are older, civic-minded, local residents Joyce (Jane Curtin) and Sandy (welcome TV veteran Harriet Sansom Harris).

In his backyard, the old man, whose name is Milton Robinson (Kingsley in a shaggy wig) has a bird feeder, a patch of prized azaleas and a couple of smaller buildings. A widower, he, like many older Americans, likes watching “C.S.I.” reruns. He has a son he hasn’t heard from and a singleton, veterinarian daughter named Denise (charismatic, award-winning stage actor Zoe Winters), who fears her father is losing it. One night, Milton sees light, hears a loud noise and feels the ground shake beneath him.

Holy “Invaders from Mars,” an old-fashioned UFO lies in his azalea patch. It has destroyed his bird feeder and dug itself into his yard. The next evening, a small, light blue humanoid creature (Jade Quon) has crawled out of the spacecraft and collapsed at the edge of Milton’s terrace. Eventually, Milton brings the creature, who is either nude and lacking genitals or wearing a skintight, skin-colored suit, inside. He gently offers it (?) several plates of different foods. The creature eats the apple slices.

Boom, they are an aged, crotchety Elliott with a new non-speaking E.T. On the news, the government asks viewers to look out for a “weather satellite” that has fallen out of the sky. Something called the “National Security Center” sends agents to look for the rogue vessel. Like many Americans, “Jules” is highly skeptical of what the government has revealed about so-called “UAPs?” Yes, that’s right. The government wants us to drop the elegant and specific “Unidentified Flying Objects” is favor of the nonsensical garbage expression “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.” How do you like them apples?

In search of a printer, Sandy stumbles upon Milton and the being and has the exactly right reaction. Soon, Joyce is in on the secret. Is this going to be “Cocoon” as a “throuple?” The alien repeatedly gives Milton drawings of cats and begins to repair its ship. Milton goes to buy more and more apples. Joyce makes Milton put a t-shirt on the alien. It reads, “I’m Not a Lesbian, But My Girlfriend Is.” To make life simpler, the group decides simply to call the alien, “Jules.” Joyce sings “Free Bird” on karaoke night. Sandy, who has placed placards around asking young people to call her to meet, gets a phone call. She meets with a young man alone at her house. Jules turns a deeper blue. Cue David Cronenberg. Cat lovers beware: “Jules” takes a “Pet Sematary” twist they may find distressing. “E.T. phone home.”

(“Jules” contain profanity)

Rated. At AMC Boston Common and suburban theaters. Grade: B