The Space Between Us asks a fundamental question that puts the science firmly in science fiction. What would happen to a human being born on Mars if they sought to visit Earth for the first time? It seems logical that human physiology would be an issue due to the varied gravity systems and other fundamental differences. Therefore that journey from foreign planet to the third rock from the sun would be risky on many levels, and could theoretically result in death. But, we humans do some pretty outlandish things in the name of love, especially teenagers.
That is simply one reason of many why The Space Between Us (out now on DVD and Blu-Ray) is such a joy to witness.
Asa Butterfield is Gardner and he is a teen who knows nothing but the red baron wasteland of Mars. When a relationship develops with Earth-bound Tulsa (Britt Robertson) online, at a certain point, he cannot stand the distance — i.e. The Space Between Us — and must embark on the unprecedented journey and let love dictate his future.
Peter Chelsom (who gave us the astounding Hector and the Search for Happiness) directs from a screenplay by Allan Loeb and the pair form a terrific storytelling tandem that have a firm grasp on the many layers of this filmmaking journey. Yes, it is a love story. But, this is also a road trip movie, as well as a science fiction tale that truly feels out of this world and is visually stunning. Cinematography is top notch, both in space, on Mars and here at home where the beauty of America is captured impeccably.
Gary Oldman is Nathaniel Shepherd, a man with a dream. He wants people to live in Mars and thanks to his billions in the bank, that dream becomes a reality. He sends a crew to Mars, and they will call their home the Red Planet. Among them is the team leader, who is unaware when the ship takes off, that she is pregnant with the baby that will become Gardner. When she dies during childbirth at the Mars base, Kendra Wyndham (the always awesome Carla Gugino) raises the boy.
It is during his teenage years, when the solitude of space becomes too much for our protagonist, we can see why he yearns to leave the quiet tranquility of space and trade it for what could be the love of a lifetime on the planet that pulsates with noisy life.
This entire film, and whether or not it works, hinges on the chemistry of Tulsa and Gardner. Butterfield and Robertson are a movie match in heaven. Their attraction, affection and kinship are palpable. We pull for their connection to work, even if the physiology of Gardner slowly but surely proves to be an issue. Fueling this film with even more emotional pull is Gardner’s search for some sort of familial connection. He seeks out his father as Tulsa and our “Martian” hit the road. Gardner’s journey is not simply finding love, but also a genealogical history.
Hot on their trail is Shepherd and Wyndham. They know the health challenges for Gardner and are hardly thrilled when he and his love connection decide to take off without a trace on their amorous expedition of self discovery.
For a deeper study on the film itself, don’t miss our theatrical The Space Between Us review.
In terms of bonus features, praise has to commence with Love Featurette. It gives a fascinating recap of the central themes, how the characters are woven into a compelling web and the entire featurette certainly enhances the whole of viewing experience.
Also interesting is the Alternative Ending. No spoilers here, but we could not recommend enough upon completion of the picture, to race to see that “other” conclusion. It certainly will create a nice discussion with your fellow movie watchers.
We loved the deleted scenes and as an appreciator of Chelsom’s work, it is a priceless lesson into his filmmaking style. What made the cut and what didn’t is intriguing and on a larger scale, takes us inside the mind of a gifted storyteller and the often times difficult choices that one has to make in the editing room to keep your tale always moving forward, crisp and compelling.
In that vein, there can be no better means to discover Chelsom’s modus operandi than to take in his Audio Commentary track while witnessing his work. There are director’s commentary tracks on almost every home video release these days. What sets The Space Between Us helmer’s apart is his keen knowledge of the art of filmmaking, his eloquent and well thought out dynamic delivery and his exploration of the plot, themes, performances, use of SFX and his understanding of the craft of moviemaking as a whole. It is an absolute treasure to behold.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A