Another Earth

Another Earth is not afraid of anything. The movie uses its throbbing opening tune and sequence of a party video to emphasize the protagonist's monologue. The main character describes how she is fascinated with Jupiter and astronomy, while the background depicts the hypnotic quality of Jupiter's gasses as they orbit our planet. The audience is as entranced by the exciting opening as they are by the protagonist's carefree attitude. She is just starting her future, having been accepted into MIT University.

The montage is filled with promise and happiness, then transitions to a sense of doom, showing her in a drunken state after getting into her automobile. While she is riding on the street, the radio announcer breaks the news that a brand-new planet almost similar to Earth has been found - and that whenever you gaze up at the skies, you can see it clearly.

Not only does "Another Earth" build a solid foundation for its future hypotheses concerning the formation and presence of this new planet, but it also brings into perspective a philosophic notion of self that will accompany Rhoda (played by Brit Marling) and the rest of the world throughout the movie's length.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

Year of Release: 2011

Stars: Brit Marling, William Mapother