Another Earth

This is quite an intense film, with just two major characters, but William Mapother and Brit Marling give strong, credible performances, and do justice to the heavy issues the film raises.
When a planet similar to earth appears in the sky, the possibility of space travel and exploration opens up, but this is not a science fiction film. Rather the planet is thought to be a parallel earth, inviting the question, what would happen if you met someone who is actually you?
How you cope with yourself, and come to terms with your past, is a mega question for Rhoda Williams, played by Brit Marling. What does a beautiful bright young twenty one year old do when she finishes serving four years in prison for reckless driving following an accident when she caused the death of two members of a family?
When she learns where the bereaved father and husband lives, she goes to meet him to say sorry, but when it comes to it she fluff's it, and things take a different turn.
The start of the film is quite moody, with little dialogue to explain what is going on, but I guess life is like that coming out of prison. Brit Marling looks good as a bombed out character, and truly beautiful when things start going well for her. William Mapother does a good portrayal of a disolute widower, and it was good to see how that changed as hope comes back into his life.
It is worth avoiding the preview, I am told one of the central scenes is showed in full. It is a great scene, and worth enjoying it and its build up without having seen it before. Brit Marling worked with the director, Mike Cahill on the script, and it is all very believable.
There are more than two characters in the film. One work colleague is quite important. Pay careful attention in the delightfully tender hospital bed scene, and do not miss, as I did, the word being spelt out, it is quite important to the scene, and the film.
Altogether, a beautiful and very satisfying film.