Another Earth (2011) is one of those movies like The Man from Earth (2007) that uses science fiction elements with little or no special effects to reveal some understanding of human existence. While Another Earth, now available on Blu-ray/DVD, will be seen by many fewer people than Transformers 3, it is the former movie that is more likely to linger in your memory.
The film, directed by Mike Cahill, follows Rhoda Williams (played by Brit Marling, who also co-wrote the story), who causes a car accident with a family out for a drive. The accident kills the mother and child, but the father (played by William Mapother) survives. Around the same time as the car accident, scientists discover “another earth,” a planet that looks like earth that can support life and that is approaching our own earth. The film follows Rhoda’s grief at the harm she caused and her later encounters with the surviving father, while at the same time, more is revealed about the other earth, including the fact that it may contain another version of everyone on earth too. The film focuses on Rhoda, so that stories about the other earth come over television or the radio at various times in the background, but the two stories also intersect at several points, including when Rhoda enters a contest to be the first to go to the other planet. Through these stories and the possibility of meeting our doppelgangers, the movie raises questions about how our lives are created out of lost chances and choices made.
The film divided critics and viewers, with some loving it and some hating it. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 64% critics rating and a 69% audience rating. I can see why some would not like it, as the movie deals with depressing themes, and the movie moves a little slower than one would expect going to see a film with science fiction elements.
Still, without spoiling anything, there are striking moments. And if you go into the relatively short 1-hour-and-32-minute movie with modest expectations like I did, you probably will be pleasantly surprised that the thoughtful meditation on life stays with you. An early scene in the movie shows The Foundation Trilogy
books by Isaac Asimov, one of my favorite science fiction series of books that like Another Earth, makes one think about possibilities.
Conclusion? Another Earth has little action and is far from perfect, but if you are in the mood for a subtle contemplative film about grief and loss and possible second chances, with just a touch of science fiction, you might enjoy Another Earth.
{Missed Movies is our continuing series on good films you might have missed because they did not receive the recognition they deserved when released.}
Other Reviews Because Why Should You Believe Me?: Roger Ebert liked the movie and gave it 3 1/2 stars. TribecaFilm.Com interviewed the director and praised the ending without spoiling it. Some critics, like Colin Covert at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, criticized the movie’s lack of science and plausibility. If you have seen the film and are looking for an explanation about some aspects of the movie, check out this discussion with the movie’s director and star on 109.com. Meanwhile, in science news, The Economist speculates whether there is a real another earth.
Bonus Movie Music Links: If you enjoyed the music played on the musical saw in the film, it is entitled “Another Earth” and was written by Scott Munson and recorded by Natalia Paruz. Check out Paruz playing the Star Trek theme on the musical saw too.
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