HERE ON EARTH
Tells Tragic Love Story

Displaying a soulful beauty reminiscent of the young Ingrid Bergman, Leelee Sobieski confidently took on her first starring movie role in HERE ON EARTH. Already an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee for her work in television's Joan of Arc miniseries, this talented young actress has a bright future ahead of her. Viewers first responded enthusiastically to Sobieski as a supporting cast member in NEVER BEEN KISSED, and they should be pleased with her performance in this more challenging leading role.

Playing a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who falls for a spoiled rich student (Chris Klein), Sobieski gets everything just right. Commenting about the character she portrays, Sobieski declares, "Samantha is quick, smart and warm. She's going through things that make her different from many of her friends."

What sort of things? Sadly, Samantha faces a terminal illness as well as estrangement from her longtime friend (Josh Hartnett) because of her new love. In spite of her suffering, she keeps a positive attitude and remains committed to life. In what could have been an overly sentimental performance, Sobieski projects genuine emotions and sensitivity.

Both Klein and Hartnett also deserve kudos for their fine acting in this teenage tearjerker. Klein, who showed a wonderful comic flair in ELECTION, proves he can play a serious role just as well. His character goes through the most change in HERE ON EARTH, and he really makes the audience believe his transformation. Hartnett, the third member of this love triangle, received an MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance for HALLOWEEN: H20. He's even better in HERE ON EARTH.

Screenwriter Michael Seitzman admits wanting to tell a love story that is "unabashedly emotional, and both tragic and uplifting." According to the press notes, he views HERE ON EARTH as a dramatic tale of first love. "That's really the most exhilarating kind of love," he insists.


In keeping with his storytelling goal, Seitzman wrote poignant love scenes for this movie. For example, Klein and Sobieski first discover their feelings for each other during an afternoon in the woods. Because she has a surgery scar on her knee, Sobieski discreetly places her hand over it while Klein tenderly caresses her. These two rising stars create an exceptional romantic chemistry together on screen, and this helps make the film work.


However, even with so much going for it, HERE ON EARTH is not a perfect movie. Parental relationships need more development, especially the one between Klein and his wealthy, distant father. In addition, some of the scenes are much too draggy. Still, it's very refreshing to see a movie portraying young people in a mature way. And, it's never a waste of time to watch Leelee Sobieski.


(Released by Fox 2000 Pictures and rated "PG-13" for sensuality and thematic elements.)

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