Humanity has always wondered if we are alone in the universe. Is life on this tiny grain of sand on the vast beach called the universe unique? With UFO sightings and projects like SETI we are looking for answers, but have still not found an answer. In this movie another earth appears and people want to find out more about it. One of them is Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling), a young student who looks up at the sky when she hears about it and in doing so causes a horrible accident which changes her own life and that of others.
For those expecting a science fiction story I can say that it is not. The other earth is there, but it’s just a small part of the story, just like it was in another movie with a similar idea, Melancholia. This movie isn’t as dark, but does deal with the personal struggle Rhoda is going through. She once was a promising student, but now has a job cleaning schools. She wants to face the one she has caused pain, but is afraid to do so. When she hears about a competition that could give her the opportunity to join a spaceship to the other earth it’s a chance for her to escape it all and at the same time to allow her to face her fears.
This was a movie made on a small budget (just $200.000), but just as movies like Bellflower or Monsters it really doesn’t show. This is a drama which works because the convincing acting of both Brit Marling and William Mapother (who most will recognise from Lost). The effect of the other earth appearing looks stunning. Part of me wants to see a sequel to this as it could explore other questions we have about how we would react to knowing there is other life out there.
Score: 8
As a dedicated sci-fi hater, I approached this movie with some dread. Amazingly, I absolutely loved it. If I’d seen it last year, I’d have put it in my top low-budget films of the year. Marling has the capacity to be a HUGE talent.
It’s really a personal story, so I’m not surprised you connected with it. The science fiction is just the background and really not that important.
I’ve watched Melancholia and I really enjoyed it, and Another Earth seems like a quite interesting take on the unknown. I’ll probably watch this movie soon enough, just have to find the time to do it :3
I first didn’t watch it because I thought it would be similar, turns out it isn’t at all. Try to watch it if you can Lou!
I will, definitely!
Heard mixed reviews of this. Glad to hear you liked it, looking forward to this again after hearing some negativity about it! And it’s got Ethan from Lost. He’s creepy.
He isn’t as creepy in here, although it’s difficult to shake his Lost persona when you see him…
This was such a beautiful little film. The shots of Earth 2 hovering in the background were eerily beautiful, and Marling and Mapother were brilliant. Would love to see more of Marling in the future.
You are not the only one Ruth…
I quite like the fact that the sci-fi part actually takes a backseat if you will, to the dramatic core of the story, the relationship between the two protagonists. I know it’s really, really slow but I was quite taken by the story and the performances. Glad you liked this one too, Nostra.
Exactly what I liked as well, although the science fiction fan in me would have loved to know more about that part too (maybe a spinoff movie ;))
I have a lot of movies to catch up with you… I did see Another Earth and I agree – good movie. Amazing scene with a guy playing a saw – how many movies have that?! This scene is on the composer’s website http://www.scottmunsonmusic.com/news/music-in-film-another-earth-soundtrack if you want to see/hear it again.
That saw scene was nice…
I was really looking forward to seeing this film but disappointed it wasn’t shown anywhere near me. Glad you enjoyed it, can’t wait to see it when it comes out on blu ray. Great review
Hope you will like it as much as I did Amy!
wait…so, did you like Monsters?
I’ve been trying to watch Another Earth, but something always comes up. Glad you reviewed this one and liked it so. I am more determined to review it.
Great write up.
No, I wasn’t a big fan of Monsters, the effects were great, but the story and actors didn’t keep me glued to the screen.
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