Bitter Sweet: Another Earth Scene Deconstruction #1

Broken Mirror Theory

Close up shot of family picture on sideboard--> Rhoda’s legs come into shot but the camera is static on the photo. This shot is reminiscent to what their family used to be like and shows how integral to the plot this now is as Rhoda has decided to travel to Earth 2. This shakes up the family dynamic once again, as it probably did when she went to prison.

Shots alternate between intimate close-ups of Rhoda’s face and body and wider, long shots of the whole scene. This is to show both her emotions in close-ups but also how she’s acting from a different point-of-view/perspective. The wider shots are probably more insightful to how Rhoda feels and thinks as her character doesn’t tend to show much emotion through facial expressions or dialogue.

2 close-up shots of the TV screen show the screen how Rhoda would be seeing it. This immerses the audience into the scene and makes them think more about what the astrophysicist on the TV is saying and what this could mean to the story and the characters.

The non-diegetic soundtrack for this scene consists of a repeated melody of soft, slow notes on the piano. This fits the scene well as it is set at night in a family home so most people are asleep therefore it’s a quiet and calm environment. Rhoda is also in deep, emotional thought as she will be leaving her family to visit Earth 2. Later in the scene she contemplates the possibilities according to this theory she is hearing about, and so it still fits.

Throughout the scene, there is a barely audible note played on possibly strings that gives a melancholy, thoughtful tone to the scene

As Rhoda contemplates the theory, string instruments become more dominant in the soundtrack and increase in volume and tone suggesting realisation and an idea. The sound from the TV stops, which means she either turns it off or most probably she’s switched her attention from this to inside her own head.

When Rhoda comes into the scene, the fuzzy, muffled speech on the TV isn’t very clear or comprehendible. The dialogue uses words such as ‘theory’ and ‘astrophysicist’ clearly suggesting this is a scientific debate/conversation about most likely Earth 2.

As it’s easier to understand the dialogue from the TV, Rhoda displays more interest. It’s as if the audience are in Rhoda’s head and can only pay attention to what she’s focused on, immersing the audience in the scene.

The man on screen speaks very matter-of-factly but in a sad way suggesting that this is a large possibility of being true, but is it a good thing?

Toward the end of the scene as Rhoda contemplates what the astrophysicist on screen is discussing he says: ‘you have an exact mirror image which is suddenly shattered and there’s a new reality’/ ‘And therein lies the opportunity and the mystery’. These words suggest possibilities of the planet that the characters in the story aren’t even sure of, let alone the audience. This therefore increases enigma, especially as we can see Rhoda has thought of something but doesn’t express this in any obvious way until the next scene. Relating what he said to the story however, we can guess that she is thinking about the past mistakes she’s made in life, and how she can possibly do something to help those she’s hurt.

The ‘living room’ set is very important in showing the dynamics of the family. There are netted curtains, velvet sofas, wooden furniture, and old TV etc. These suggest a traditional family which essentially it is, with 2 parents and 2 children.

The low level lighting is comfortable but creates shadows. This could be reflective of Rhoda’s role in the family as she’s come back to the family and balanced the household again but she is secretive and emotionally close off to her family, which they must be suspicious of.

Rhoda moves very slowly, carefully and delicately showing she’s deep in thought.

She takes the family photo out of the frame quietly and slowly as if it’s wrong. This is probably as she hasn’t asked permission to take it but she wouldn’t want to ask because that would be admitting her feelings to other people. She holds the photo delicately but slightly awkwardly as she does care for her family but doesn’t necessarily know how to act around them.

When she becomes interested in what’s on the TV she moves slowly towards it, cocking her head slightly. This clearly shows her curiosity and fascination, especially as she gets so close to the TV.

The shot beginning the scene begins as a static shot which then begins to track up to show Rhoda’s face. This could perhaps suggest how the family used to be as one but now the focus is on Rhoda, especially as she’s just come home from prison and now she’s been chosen to travel to Earth 2.

The camera then tilts down from her face to what she is doing. This is more appropriate for the pace of the scene as a jump cut would be too harsh and this way the shot is more fluid and delicate, much like Rhoda’s actions.

When she turns around the camera tracks down following her eye line to her dad asleep on the sofa. This works in the same sense as the sound: that we are in Rhoda’s mind and we can only notice things as she does.

In amongst the slow-paced shots there is a quick cut where the camera moves really quickly. In this moment, the audience feel out of the scene, as if they’re seeing the scene from another perspective (like someone is watching her). This fits well with the sci-fi genre especially as the story focuses on ‘another you’ so it seems like something like this good well be possible.

As Rhoda contemplates and is in deep thought as she stares at the TV, the camera zooms into her face the longer she thinks. This increases tension in the audience as nothing is given away but hinted at instead. Also this simultaneously reflects hers and the audience’s increasing realisation.