Review of Another Earth (2011) by Carlos V — 23 May 2012

Too ponderous for its own good, and exploitative to match. Director Mike Cahill uses a neat parallel-earth premise to explore some interesting oppositions: the highest astronomy vs. the lowest guilt, "wild" vs. "domestic," cleaning (a school, or chez guilt-creditor/older-guy, or even Rhoda's own conscience).

But all of it is for some squishy, obstreperously poignant Hallmark themes, proven in cunty Wii boxing and family awkwardness scenes as well in a laughable "Keep your mind clear; you will have peace of mind" Clint Eastwood-esque subplot and in a sophomoric Allegory of the Cave soliloquy. I appreciate the vision in this, a lot of brave auteurist sci-fi choices, but the film itself is pretty blah.