After being released from prison and learning of a second Earth, a student forms a relationship with the man whose family she killed in a car crash.

DRAMA/SCI-FI

Another Earth (2011)

Directed by Mike Cahill

Written by Mike Cahill and Brit Marling

Starring Brit Marling, William Mapother, Jordan Baker,
Flint Beverage, Robin Lord Taylor, Kumar Pallana

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Connor Eyzaguirre

March 11, 2020

5/10

This story had so much potential, but it squandered everything by focusing on the wrong part of the story. Yes, the idea of a young woman forming a relationship with the man whose family she killed in a hit and run is a good idea, but not when combined with the idea of a second Earth appearing in the sky. It's a concept ripe for storytelling, yet it gets flat-out ignored in favor of a serious dramatic tale that should've been its own, more artsy movie. Add to that a host of flat characters and an abrupt ending just before we get any answers, and you've got a big old goose egg.

Our protagonist is Rhoda Williams (Marling), recently released from prison after serving four years for manslaughter. In the sky, growing steadily closer, is another planet Earth identical to ours in every way. No explanation on why this is or what it means, and it stays in the background for pretty much the entire movie. Instead, we watch Rhoda lie to and manipulate John Burroughs (Mapother), a composer who lost everything to Rhoda, but he doesn't know it was her. And honestly, when she finally tells him, it's pretty underwhelming despite being the climax of the film. There are no memorable side characters, and very little to keep this film interesting.

Again, this movie wasted such an imaginative concept that could've toyed with parallel dimensions, first contact with alien life, evil twins, alternate paths of life, and so much more. But all of it is tossed aside in favor of a conventional drama. I can't believe that this was how the filmmakers chose to go about this. By the way, I've started working on a time travel movie. But it's about two people falling in love while the time machine sits in the background and they talk about time travel on the news. Doesn't that sound terrible? I rest my case.