Another Earth (2011)

User Review

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  TheMovieDiorama

  6 / 10

  Another Earth unfortunately does not amount to anything against an intriguing concept. The indie genre is always hit and miss for me. I will either adore a film who absolutely hate it, so when I watched this it was the first time I felt indifferent. Rhoda, having just heard that another planet that can sustain life is viewable, causes a car accident with more than one fatality. Years later, she finds the remaining survivor and attempts to apologise, but her nerves get the better of her and soon starts getting close to them. It is a simple drama about redemption and earning another chance (should've been titled "Another Chance"). The film is good, but completely misses the mark given the idea that a complete replica of Earth appears. A copy of yourself on a different planet. It provokes you to ask the question "if you could tell yourself something, what would it be?"...and yet doesn't fully explore that ever apparent concept. It's a massive shame, because with the indie genre there are no limitations when it comes to storytelling. You aren't constantly having your hand being held so that studios can ensure they gain a profit. You make want you want, and I just feel that this wasn't the intended final product. The sluggish pacing, considering it's only 88 minutes long, hindered the narrative. The whole film is focussed on Rhoda and her internal struggle for forgiveness, but in the end it just doesn't amount to anything. It's far too melodramatic and occasionally comes across as pretentious. The over stylised amateurish direction felt like a TV episode, especially with the constant heavy handed zooming in and out. The script is surprisingly resonant and there are several scenes that were beautifully crafted, particularly where it's just Brit Marling walking and "Earth 2" is in the background. Brit Marling held this film completely, she was utterly captivating and emotionally investing. The ending...well, I don't know. I want to say it doesn't make sense, but I can't detail it without incorporating spoilers. Weird film, maybe just not what I expected?

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