How would you react to the news there was another planet Earth not far away from you? And what if you had the opportunity to go? Would you want to? That’s the dilemma a young girl Rhoda (Brit Marling) finds herself in after a freak accident leaves her life and that of composer John Burroughs (played by William Mapother) in tatters. The film opens with the premise that a distant planet which is getting ever closer is reported to be able to support life. It has a similar orbiting pattern and is getting closer with each passing moment, it catches the eye of a young promising student, Rhoda who is fascinated with astronomy.
Unfortunately on a fateful night when the planet is visible in the night sky she loses looks up and loses control of her car and crashes into an unsuspecting vehicle. The crash kills all but one of the occupants, John, who goes into a coma. The film picks up four years later, Rhoda is released from prison and she attempts to reintegrate herself into society, she takes up a cleaning job at a nearby high school despite having a brilliant mind and being capable of much more. Meanwhile John, awake from his coma lives alone in his house which is now run down after his tragic loss, he is down and out and is stuggling to come to terms with the situation. In the midst of their struggles it is established that the nearby planet is a seemingly identical planet Earth and N.A.S.A is planning a visit and opens up a competition to civilians to go on the maiden visit. Are you still with me? This movie requires patience, it is a slow burner but you will be rewarded, the real story focuses on the relationship between the two leads when their paths cross again. That‘s enough spoilers I think, no more given away than the trailer anyway which you can view below. What can I say about another Earth? It’s actually not bad it is a thought provoking piece which asks more questions than it answers, and the performances are decent, Brit Marlin shows that she is an up and coming talent and it is worth noting that she co wrote the story along with the director Mike Cahill which in itself is impressive. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea I’m afraid but I for one liked it, it got a great reception at The Sundance Film Festival and it was produced on a small budget. It has a real arthouse feel to it and is worth a watch the soundtrack is also excellent and suits the mood admirably.
