Review of Another Earth (2011) by Alexander H — 20 Oct 2012

The concept, though improbable is very innovative and thoughtful. What works wonderfully well is that the entire science fiction stuff is left in the backdrop (though it is comprehensive) while a story of love, redemption and sacrifice takes front seat featuring wonderful performances, touching moments and raw emotions. I surely will look forward to more work from Brit Marling both as an actress and a writer.

Scientists have just discovered the existence of another planet similar to Earth, actually an exact replica of Earth where the mass, size, continents, cities and even people are exactly the same and what goes on in their lives are synchronized between ours and Another Earth.

At that time Rhoda (Brit Marling) has just finished high school and is about to go to a college. After a little party she meets with a road accident which kills a pregnant mother and her 10 year old boy while the father John (William Mapother) goes to a coma. Having released from Prison after 4 years, she decides to meet John and apologize to him. When she couldn't say it, she pretends to be a maid and helps get him back to regular life until then he has been living in unattended isolation.

When an opportunity arises to win a trip to Another Earth, Rhoda enrolls and finally gets selected. She decides to tell the truth to John after she learns a theory about Another Earth which can mean a ray of hope to John.

While the script couldn't possibly sell the concept of Another Earth, it does no mistake in making use of it nevertheless. What stands out is a remarkably grounded performance by the star Brit Marling who happens to have co-written the script. Right from the opening sequence she captivates your attention passing her display of emotions is contagious. It is neither a movie with fantastic visuals nor a script that tries to justify or answer its direction. What it does is tell a humble everyday store placed in an impossible backdrop which was very refreshing. The editing felt a little clumsy at times (it looked intentional but not very appealing) but the background score more than makes up for it.

A humble yet impossible science fiction if can be called that.