It has cult classic written all over it. Another Earth is the debut feature from Mike Cahill who co-wrote the screenplay with leading lady Brit Marling. Visually soft, paced for emotional depth, beautifully soundtracked and philosophically tense. It’s elusive and affecting in equal measure. While operating as science fiction, Another Earth is a story of second chances between two strangers whose lives are re-aligned after a fatal tragedy on the night of the discovery of the life sustaining blue planet. Redemption, hope and fear are all examined under the constant presence of this beautiful dimension…
Rhoda Williams (Marling) is the embodiment of a youth full of hope and dreams unfulfilled. She is more than affected by the discovery of the blue planet, so much so that it puts her under a spell of sorts that leads to an unforgivable lapse of concentration. The tragic consequence sees her once promising career in astrophysics vaporise. It will be 4 years before the young woman re-emerges. Racked with guilt and remorse, she submits to the antithesis of her potential and takes on the most basic of human practices; cleaning. As if to punish herself even more she takes on the role in a school. Silent, withdrawn, she strips down to her one comfort, the blue planet.
The engaging thing about this film is how much is accomplished in its scope. Rhoda, for all her misgivings is, like a true scientist, a gambler and she indulges in a sensational competition; a ticket to Earth 2. This simple plot device however opens a window to our imagination as well. As Cahill, a self confessed science freak, introduces teasing philosophical and scientific notions that give the film a magical atmosphere of possibility. That possibility manifests itself when Rhoda seeks out the widower, John Burroughs (William Mapother) to offer herself up in her fundamental role as cleaner. Unbeknownst to him, he accepts and a tenous heart-breaking exploration ensues all under that continuing and now ever growing presence of Earth 2.
While the film literally stays on ground, with the very real human drama of two redemptive characters, there is no space travel, just the mere suggestion. A lot does happen as a result of our imagination, which metaphorically is space travel. This is the result of some very significant scenes, that show the use of very normal forms of communication to achieve this transportation, so to speak. Listening to the radio, watching TV, receiving a phone call. These devices are not what one might expect from a high concept science fiction movie to provide key scenes.. Infact, they are very nostalgic and sentimental on one hand. But under Cahill’s careful direction they lend themselves to monumental shifts in understanding. The TV scene when contact is made with Earth 2 is, from what i can only imagine, like the moment when TV viewers experienced man’s first step on the moon; Life changing and life affirming.
On an unrelated but equally emotional level, is the casting of Kumar Pallana. I mention this because he was so fundamental to Wes Anderson in many of his films , and luckily we have the absolute pleasure in seeing him again, in a pivotal role playing Rhoda’s janitorial mentor. The few scenes he has are magical, spiritually inspiring and heart breaking. They came as a complete surprise and will ensured the film’s multiple viewings. The man is 93 years young.
An outstanding debut from Cahill and superbly performed by Marling. A bona-fide Cult classic.
Another Earth premiered at Raindance on 28th September 2011. It is out on general release 2nd December 2011.
Director: Mike Cahill
Writers: Brit Marling, Mike Cahill
Stars: Brit Marling, William Mapother, Matthew-Lee Erlbach
Runtime: 92 min
Country: USA
Film Rating: 
