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quietearth [Celluloid 07.08.11] movie review scifi

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Year: 2011
Directors: Mike Cahill
Writers: Mike Cahill & Brit Marling
IMDB: link
Trailer: link
Review by: quietearth
Rating: 8 out of 10

Quietly heartbreaking, Another Earth may look like a simple gut-wrenching drama of redemption from the trailer, but it's not to be missed. Put your prejudice aside for a moment and join me on a simple journey into a simply made low budget film which is beautiful on every level.


A silent and predominantly two character flick, the protagonist is brilliantly played by Brit Marling in such a low-key fashion that the guilt of her situation is believable. She killed a man's wife and child and lives with a grief we aren't sold but experience. This is where the sub-plot of Earth 2 comes in. What if there were another you who hadn't made the same mistakes and you had the opportunity to meet them? What would that conversation be like? Do they wipe their ass the same way? What would sex with them be like? Would that be incest or masturbation? Would that make you gay?

All jokes aside, this cinematic experience shies away from those deeper questions and concentrates on the ageless theme of redemption in an unpredictable fashion. Grounded in the realism only a top notch writer can bring, the sparse dialogue is apropos and peppered with poignant parables. The writer never gives in to the common mistake of melodrama, but instead lets the fully fleshed-out characters live the story while we are allowed an intimate view. The natural and believable interaction is played out within the context of a hauntingly beautiful world hanging overhead. Although this film was shot on a very tight budget and has very low production values, it is incredibly elegant.

That doesn't mean Another Earth isn't without its flaws. Along with some great handheld cinematography are a few jarring moments where the cameraman zooms in, reminding us that someone else is there. The science fiction sub-plot screams for more attention, begging the question: will there be a sequel? God, I hope not. The ending is worth its weight in Earth 2 gold.

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Aladdin Sarsippius (10 months ago) Reply

Journey to the far side of the sun.
Now that was a great "another earth" sci-fi classic.
With Roy Thinnes of "the invaders"

(BTW 45 page refreshes till I got a captcha I could make out)

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Anonymous (10 months ago) Reply

You write..."What if there were another you who hadn't made the same mistakes and you had the opportunity to meet them? What would that conversation be like?"

---Did you see the same movie I saw?

The scene with the SETI Doctor 'Tallis' reveals that the 2 Earths are identical right down to the Good Doctor talking to her other 'self' in that scene. Because of that short 5 minute scene, there's no way to believe John's family is alive at all. When Rhoda gave up her ticket, Rhoda's other self should've done the same. The reason the final shot is so great is because it shouldn't have happened. BAD FILM-MAKING!

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quietearth (10 months ago) Reply

DO NOT READ THE ABOVE COMMENT OR THIS ONE UNLESS YOU WANT SPOILERS.

Don't remember the "shattered mirror" theory? Apparently you didn't watch the film at all.

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Anonymous (10 months ago) Reply

Why don't you just delete it then?

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Anonymous (10 months ago) Reply

If I didn't watch the film then how did I know about your so-called spoilers?

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Dean (9 months ago) Reply

So can someone contact me or post what the final scene is? I have no intentions of seeing this film, but would like to know the twist. Does she meet herself? Isn't there another John on Earth 2 with his family?

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j.j. (4 months ago) Reply

Finally saw this film. Biggest pile of wank I have seen in many, many years. Terrible acting, writing, plot holes, lighting - this film is an embarrassment to indie filmmaking and proves Sundance awards are all about politics and have nothing to do with the films. I gave up after 27 minutes. Wife gave up after 52. Horrendous. Absolutely horrendous.

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Luckystriker (3 weeks ago) Reply

A review not only terrestrial, but pedestrian

Some nihilistic genius here and there


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