After celebrating her acceptance to MIT, Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling) drives home inebriated and hears on the radio that another inhabitable planet has been discovered.
Distracted, Rhoda crashes into another vehicle with a family inside. The father lives, but the mother and their young child are lost.
The next scene cuts to four years later. Rhoda, as she is processed out of jail after serving for manslaughter, collects her belongings and overhears a report that the other planet has been named Earth 2.
Despite an inventive premise, Another Earth follows a more traditional chronology. As the film progresses, Rhoda tries to develop a relationship with the father who survives the car crash, John Burroughs (William Mapother).
While there is nothing wrong with having a character-driven story with science-fiction elements, the plot provides the sci-fi elements only when it becomes convenient, mostly in television reports and narrations.
The majority of the film is spent developing the relationship between John and Rhoda. This film, however, could have seriously benefited from a more gripping structure.
The story is well told, especially in moments between John and Rhoda. These dramatic components, however, are only memorable when incorporated with the more fantasy-orientated scenes of the film.
With that said, the movie looks good because of Mike Cahill’s direction. The script also provides solid character development, effectively depicting their inner pains and struggles.
The ideas that are explored are done in smart and considerate ways. Unlike most sci-fi movies, it rarely breaks from realism beyond, of course, its premise. It is focused enough to communicate the message without being preachy or aggressive (An appreciated relief, especially when compared to other films of its type.)
Though not as powerful as it could be, Another Earth isn’t weak.
3 out of 5 stars.
wa054010@ohiou.edu
