Despite
the ever more graphic and fast paced modern sensibilities, in every
generation, young women and men of poetic and romantic disposition come
of age. They will find Here on Earth satisfying, even inspiring.
The audience at our Cineplex was full of young women who seemed to
identify with the story and enjoy the beefcake with suitable ooohs and
tittering. Though at times overly sentimental and jarringly
underdeveloped, aspects of Here on Earth intrigued us and warmed
our hearts.
The story is a love triangle between the
strikingly handsome Chris Klein in the role of Kelley Morse, a snotty,
rich valedictorian at the local prep school, Leelee Sobieski as
Samantha, and Josh Hartnett as her small town boyfriend Jasper.
Most of the reviews and the studio hype
give away aspects of the film that should have been held back. We wonder
why marketers so often rob a story of surprises that add dimension and
magic to the viewing experience when they are savored for the first time
in the theater.
In the set up, Kelley sneaks out of
school in his new convertible Mercedes, insults Jasper and other townies
in a local diner, and foments a car chase. The car chase ends with the
gas station explosion that burns down Samantha’s family’s diner. The
boys are sentenced to spend the summer helping to rebuild the structure.
The complications ensue as Samantha puzzles between her loyalty and
genuine love toward Jasper and her more passionate desire for Kelley.
Kelley, though, represents danger in her
life. Samantha’s older sister is a single mother with a child from an
affair with a prep boy. Obviously, the family fears the results of
Samantha’s entanglement with Kelley. In addition, in a twist of
agonizing self-centeredness, Kelley proves to be disloyal.
On the other hand, Samantha’s
childhood sweetheart Jasper is not just a loutish boor. Though his
character is underdeveloped, and his words to Samantha to stay with him
become a repetitive mantra, we see hints of his musical soul and
absolute proof of his love and care. The ancient theme of a woman of
simple origins who must, for the sake of her perfection, leave behind a
lover of similar background, is shown with touching tenderness as
Samantha declares that Jasper will always hold a special place in her
heart.
With noteworthy performances by Leelee
Sobieski and Josh Hartnett, along with great support from Michael Rooker
(Josh’s father) and Bruce Greenwood (Samantha’s father), Here on
Earth borders on cliché in its tugging on our heart strings, but it
is a sweet, instructive look at some of the tougher choices in our
romantic lives. Even if it is the stuff of swooning romance novels and
old films, we champion the recitation of a poem used as a catalyst for
love between two people of such gaping differences.
