Another Earth manages to tread a tricky tightrope. Too far in one direction, it could descend into maudlin navel gazing and philosophizing. Too far in the other direction, it could become a cheesy, unrealistic romantic drama like Bounce and Return to Me. Thankfully Another Earth sustains a realistic tension and foreboding while simultaneously not giving in to tension and foreboding. Another Earth miraculously finds a way towards reconciliation with one’s self, others and other worlds. Instead of vengeance, reconciliation in the face of unlikely circumstances with opposing forces appears to be a speciality for Brit Marling, who wrote Another Earth and The East, which I loved loved loved. I welcome the proliferation of this yet defined genre where deeply dramatic issues and events unfold in a sci-fi setting, but the adventurous sci-fi premise is not king, but the matters of the heart dominates the film. It would be a dream if Brit Marling would write and star in a Duncan Jones directed film. Though I enjoyed Another Earth, it is not a joy to watch because of the general sense of dread and self-loathing that permeates the film. Also I’m sure that William Mapother is a lovely human being, but I watch too many movies and tv shows, and he usually ends up being the creepy threat so I just could not look at him with objective sympathy, as a viable normal or accomplished human being or not a murderer/raving lunatic. Mapother did too great a job in Threshold, Lost, Constantine, etc. Sorry that I failed you Mapother, or that you are too excellent at your job. I will try to do better.