Review of Another Earth (2011) by Séan D — 24 Apr 2012

It's a strange concoction. Another Earth is a deeply dramatic film about tragedy and redemption, which has a fantastical science fiction story running beside it. Such a thing is not supposed to work but it actually does, really well.

A stupid and naive teenage girl drink drives and kills a man's wife and child. Four years later she is released from prison and riddled with guilt. In an attempt to make up for her actions she poses as a house cleaner for the widower but cannot bring herself to confess her identity to him.

During this time a strange Earth-like planet has appeared from out of nowhere and the film also focuses on the global curiosity and investigation into its presence. A lot is revealed and the entire science fiction subplot begins to make metaphorical sense to the other story.

I haven't revealed any great spoilers and that is all I will say. No doubt there will be nit-pickers who question the actual science of such an occurrence and I would suggest that they have missed the point of the film.

I found the story to be compelling and both actors were really great. I read that William Mapother (you will know his face) agreed to work for $100 a day because based on the strength of the script. Another Earth is a really excellent debut film and I have no doubt that it marks the start of a successful career for its director.