Missed Movies: Another Earth

Another Earth 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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    Missed Movies: The Man From Earth

    If you enjoy intelligent science-fiction movies, you might want to check out The Man From Earth (2007) on DVD/Blu Ray.   I did not hear of the movie when it came out in 2007, so I’m guessing a lot of other people missed it too.  All you probably need to know is that Jerome Bixby, whose writings were used for episodes in the original The Twilight Zone and Star Trek series, is the screenwriter for The Man from Earth.  If you liked The Twilight Zone, you’ll most likely enjoy this thought-provoking movie that in many ways plays like an extended version of one of those shows.

    Man from EarthThe movie begins with friends visiting a college professor (played by David Lee Smith) at his home in the country as he plans to move out-of-town.   As they sit in his home among the last boxes, they begin to inquire more into his background and why he is leaving.  It is not too much of a spoiler to tell you that he reveals that he has lived for centuries and has to move on before people realize he does not age.  The friends — who are experts in areas  such as biology, anthropology, psychology, and religion — question his claims.  What follows is a fascinating meditation on life, morality, and time.  Is he playing a joke, telling the truth, or is he mentally ill?

    The movie is not perfect, so I suggest you go into it with modest expectations.  And if you prefer your sci-fi with high-octane action and special effects, you might want to skip this movie that has no special effects and limited action.  But if you like thought-provoking movies, you’ll probably enjoy watching this one on a rainy autumn day.  If it sounds interesting, I suggest you rent it immediately without learning more or even watching the trailer, which doesn’t capture the movie very well.  You can’t make conversation look fun in a minute.  If you want to see the trailer, though, it is here.  If you subscribe to Netflix, the movie is available for instant streaming.

    One final tidbit:  Bixby thought up the idea for The Man From Earth in the 1960’s when he was doing his television work, and he completed the story on his death bed in 1998.  The story was circulated through the Internet and gained enough attention that it was eventually made into a movie.  I need to go call the Internet and thank them.

    Jerome Bixby’s The Man from Earth on Amazon

    Missed Movies is our series on very good movies that many people did not see when first released.

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