Director: Mike Cahill
Cast: Brit Marling, William Mapother, Jordan Baker and Flint Beverage
Running Time: 92 min
Certificate: 12A
Synopsis: On the night of the discovery of a duplicate planet in the solar system, an ambitious young student and an accomplished composer cross paths in a tragic accident.
In his debut feature, director Mike Cahill takes us on a journey that’s not just about ‘Earth 2’ but also considers the possibility of an identical planet with an identical you…and all the metaphorical questions that come with it. Brit Marling portrays the lead character Rhoda Williams, Marling co-wrote the film with director Cahill and is half of the major focus of proceedings.
We begin ANOTHER EARTH with party girl Rhoda on a night out, boys, strobe lighting, drink and living life to the full. As she drives home, reports of this Earth 2 blast out on the radio and she’s distracted. As Rhoda is looking to out to see this distant celestial phenomenon, her car smashes into a family car that’s waiting at a crossing with horrific consequences.
Released from prison years later, Rhoda is despondent and tries to find ways to atone. She decides to try and reach the only survivor, John Burroughs, who is the father of the deceased family. Burroughs is played by William Mapother and you’ll be forgiven for initially noticing…it’s Ethan from Lost and plays this role very affably. One day Rhoda visits him to try and apologise but loses her nerve and ends up accidentally working for him for free.
Hidden beneath the cloak of science-fiction, ANOTHER EARTH is quintessentially a low budget, indie flick with a science fiction premise but is more deeply rooted in the relationship played out between the two lead characters. As their relationship grows, voice-overs and her thoughts offer us spiritual and further metaphoric questions and what you would do if you met your other ‘self’.
Despite all this ANOTHER EARTH isn’t really a story of redemption and the sci-fi element is essentially an appealing sideshow. Mike Cahill focuses on exploring the world of Rhoda and John to see whether their relationship, which is based on deceit and lies, can exist. They achieve this through some really beautiful cinematic moments and those ever-present considerations we all have…the ‘what if’.
Brit Marling is impressive throughout and although there are certainly moments that feel predictable, it is also pleasing to see an indie project being backed at a time where new ideas aren’t always getting the recognition they deserve.
Overall, it’s a strong debut feature and ANOTHER EARTH offers possibility with a very intriguing premise. Through its grainy and handheld direction, it feels intimate because of the mood set throughout the film. If you’re looking for something science-fiction then this probably will frustrate you but if you’re after reflection, the possible and a film with a strong sense of the exploration of self, then do check it out.
ANOTHER EARTH is directed by Mike Cahill and stars Brit Marling, William Mapother, Jordan Baker and Flint Beverage and is released on December 9th.
