Review: ANOTHER EARTH (12A)

Brit Marling is a name to look out for. I expect big things from her in the future. Not only did she co-write the screenplay of Another Earth, but she stars in it and produced it. She clearly has the skills and, ahem, the looks to become a major name in Hollywood over the next few years. Mike Cahill, who co-wrote and directed this, is another name to watch out for. This is their third joint venture, after the documentary Boxers and Ballerinas (2004), and Sound of My Voice (2011).



Another Earth is a science fiction adventure based on the premise that a new planet is discovered, Earth 2, that completely mirrors everything here on our earth. Rhoda (Brit Marling), a bright young high school student, has always wanted to explore space and is accepted into the astrophysics programme at MIT. John Burroughs (played by William Mapother) is a talented composer is at the top of his profession. He and his wife are about to have a second child. On the night that Earth 2 is discovered a dreadful accident happens. Rhoda and John begin as strangers but, after the accident, their lives become intertwined.

Another Earth was made on a budget of just $200,000 - nothing in today's world of mega-million movies, and picked up the Feature Film Prize and Special Jury Prize at Robert Redford's influential Sundance Festival.

It's a very good movie, very atmospheric, and well-paced, and there are moments of romance and suspense. The basic premise is interesting and dealt with in a much more subtle way than, say, Doctor Who does!

A movie that's definitely worth going to see - and names to keep an eye out for!