|
|
center>
There is no doubt about the deeper meaning of this film. There is often a grand design behind the tragedies and experiences we have in life.
-Review by David Bruce |
|
HERE ON EARTH
(2000)
|
This page was created on March 25, 2000
and was last updated on
May 22, 2005
|
|
|
Directed by Mark Piznarski
Writing credits: Michael Seitzman
Chris Klein .... Kelvin "Kelley" Morse
Leelee Sobieski .... Samantha
Josh Hartnett .... Jasper
Michael Rooker .... Michael Arnold
Annie Corley .... Betsy Arnold
Bruce Greenwood .... Earl Cavanaugh
Annette O'Toole .... Jo Cavanaugh
Elaine Hendrix .... Jennifer Cavanaugh
Stuart Wilson .... John Morse
Ronni Saxon .... Robin Arnold
Maureen O'Malley .... Patty
Tac Fitzgerald .... Pete
Jessica Stier .... Vanessa
Erik Kristofer .... Charlie
Zach Fehst .... Steve
Michael Piznarski .... Albert Peter
Gregory Thomson .... Abel Shiverson
Isabell Monk .... Judge Maddick
Garth C. Schumacher .... Pastor
Chris Carlson .... Paramedic
Jack Walsh .... Mr. Lackett
Peter Syvertsen .... Vin Pemrose
Stephen Yoakam .... Dr. Falco
Eden Bodnar .... Amanda Fielding
Produced by Jeffrey Downer (executive), David T. Friendly, David Higgins (co-producer) Original music by Andrea Morricone
Cinematography by Michael D. O'Shea
Film Editing by Robert Frazen
Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and thematic elements.
|
See RealPlayer Trailer
Need Plug In?
 |
|
|
|
Experiencing a little bit of Heaven here on earth.
|
 SYNOPSIS:
The lives of three young people - a rich student, a girl from the "wrong side of the tracks" and her boyfriend - unexpectedly intersect during one fateful summer in the romantic drama "Here on Earth."
Kelley Morse (Chris Klein), who is cocky and brash, normally would never have crossed paths with the residents of a small town near his posh private school. But when he takes his shiny new Mercedes out for a drive, he locks horns with some of the locals, including Jasper (Josh Hartnett).
As Jasper's willful girlfriend Samantha (Leelee Sobieski) looks on, Kelley and Jasper engage in a dangerous car race that turns disastrous, leaving a popular diner owned by Samantha's mother in ruins. Kelley and Jasper are sentenced to a creatively ironic but fitting punishment: They must help rebuild the diner.
Not only does this ruin Kelley's summer plans, he also must board at the home of his rival, Jasper. Kelley begins to fulfill his "sentence," but refuses to have anything to do with Jasper and his parents. When Kelley again encounters Samantha, the attraction is immediate and strong.
First love blossoms in the Berkshire woods ("a little bit of heaven, here on earth," Samantha calls the pastoral setting) - angering Jasper, who has known Samantha practically his entire life. These new feelings and the romantic triangle that develops are only the beginning of a new journey for Kelley, Samantha and Jasper, as they ultimately make life-changing discoveries about themselves and each other. |
THIS IS A SPOILER REVIEW |
|
The film begins with the relationship between Samatha and Jasper. They are small town childhood sweethearts. Sam's mother owns the diner where Sam works. All is well, until a rich out-of-town college boy, Kelley, pays a visit one evening to the diner. Kelley and Jasper have a dispute. |
 |
These hostilities toward each other lead to a dangerous car race that turns disastrous, leaving the popular diner owned by Samantha's mother in ruins. Kelley and Jasper are sentenced to a creatively ironic but fitting punishment: They must help the construction crew rebuild the diner. |
 |
At the beginning of the film there is a Sunday church service in which the pastor delivers a sermon on how disastrous events in our lives are sometimes part of a grand design. This "will" is central idea of the story, by the way. Next to the pastor is a banner that reads, "Let Us Love One Another," which is what the two boys must learn to do. |
 |
 Learning to love each other is complicated by the fact that Sam begins to have romantic feelings towards Kelley -- and Jasper knows it. |
 |
Sam and Kelley begin meeting at a secret place where Kelley goes for retreat and reflection. Sam has a place too. Next to the river. |
Interesting note: The need of a secret place for retreat, reflection, and prayer. Chris Klein has a place near a lake. RealVideo click here Josh Hartnett just listens to CDs cruising in his car. RealVideo click here. I am impressed with Chris. See what you think. |
 |
 The relationship between Sam and Kelley begins to flower. For Sam it is her first experience of falling in love. For Kelley it opens a door to deal with the painful death of his mother. |
 |
Jasper does come to terms with the love that Sam has for Kelley, but not without some difficulty. Such events in life are hard. The story presents Jasper as releasing Sam to Kelley, an act of courageous unselfish love. |
 |
 Have you noticed the use of flowers in films during the past few months (Magnolia, American Beauty, and What Planet)? |
| The grand design becomes apparent in the concluding scenes of the film as Sam develops an incurable fatal disease. Through this event Sam learns how to live in the now. "I am not dying. I am living." Jasper learns the bittersweet experience of sacrificial love. And, Kelley learns to accept life again, losing his cold exterior. |
|
| |
| |
Bulletin Board: |
|
OFFICIAL SITE
Here On Earth © Fox 2000 Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
| |
|
|
