Here on Earth

2000

Here on Earth

Critics Consensus

Critics say Here on Earth's weakness comes from its script. The story may appeal to young teenage girls, but it suffers from being overly sentimental and formulaic. The cinematography, however, is lovely in how it captures its Minnesota setting.

17%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 69

61%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 20,255
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Movie Info

In this romantic drama, a young man must make some difficult decisions when he discovers that his girlfriend's future is almost used up. Kelley (Chris Klein) and Samantha (Leelee Sobieski) are waiting out the summer after their high school graduation before moving on to college. Although Kelley comes from a wealthy family and Samantha's folks are working class, they soon find that they have more in common than they imagined, and they fall in love. However, Samantha's parents (Annette O'Toole and Bruce Greenwood) soon learn that their daughter has only a few more months to live. When Kelley learns the awful truth, he must decide if he should stay by the side of the first girl he's ever loved or obey his father's wishes and go to college. This was the second feature film for director Mark Piznarski, who has directed episodes of the TV series E.R., My So-Called Life, and Relativity, as well as the TV miniseries The 60s.

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Cast

Chris Klein
as Kelly
Leelee Sobieski
as Samantha
Josh Hartnett
as Jasper
Michael Rooker
as Michael
Annie Corley
as Betsy
Bruce Greenwood
as Earl
Annette O'Toole
as Jo
Elaine Hendrix
as Jennifer
Stuart Wilson
as John
Ronni Saxon
as Robin
Maureen O'Malley
as Patty
Tac Fitzgerald
as Pete
Jessica Stier
as Vanessa
Erik Kristofer
as Charlie
Zach Fehst
as Steve
Michael Piznarski
as Albert
Peter Gregory Thomson
as Abel
Isabell Monk
as Judge
Garth C. Schumacher
as Pastor
Chris Carlson
as Paramedic
Jack Walsh
as Mr. Lackett
Peter Syvertsen
as Vin Pemrose
Stephen Yoakam
as Dr. Falco
Eden Bodnar
as Amanda Fielding
Mary Woolever
as Nurse
Barbara Kingsley
as Hospital Nurse
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Critic Reviews for Here on Earth

All Critics (69) | Top Critics (26)

  • For a movie about the ferocity of first love, it seems curiously pallid and passionless.

    Jan 1, 2000

    Terry Lawson

    Detroit Free Press
    Top Critic

  • On the bright side, Here on Earth does present viewers with a couple of handy rules to avoid bad movies. Beware of any movie that has characters reciting poetry to each other.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Full Review…

    Tom Maurstad

    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic

  • Here on Earth is a missed opportunity.

    Jan 1, 2000

    Steve Murray

    Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    Top Critic

  • Dramatically, the tragedy couldn't possibly be flatter.

    Jan 1, 2000

    Robert Koehler

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Lazily conceived characters.

    Jan 1, 2000

    Desson Thomson

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • Here on Earth hungers for the nostalgia of an Elia Kazan-style farmbelt romantic tragedy à la East of Eden, but the end result is more akin to a soggy Troy Donahue-Sandra Dee weeper.

    Jan 1, 2000

    Kevin Maynard

    Mr. Showbiz
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (69)

Audience Reviews for Here on Earth

  • Jan 30, 2011
    In the annals of romantic drama films, "Here on Earth" is a slightly watered down, mildly acting-challenged film. I do enjoy Chris Klein, Josh Hartnett, and Leelee Sobieski in their parts, but they just do not come off as sincere and noteworthy than say Shane West and Mandy Moore, or Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The ending is a bit laughable (a knee injury that becomes life threatening), but overall, I believe people get out of the film what they need. Where is Nicholas Sparks when you need him?
    Christopher H Super Reviewer
  • Jul 29, 2009
    Basically A Walk to Remember meets Pretty in Pink with a little bit of the formula from The Defiant Ones (among others) is basically how you can sum up this completely unoriginal film, that sadly misuses a bunch of really great actors. Simply put a spoiled rich kid gets in a race with his this poor farm boy, the aftermath of which sees the town's local diner destroyed and the two boys facing jail time until they are forced to work together to rebuild the diner. Enter the farm boy's girlfriend who has eyes for the rich kid, who slowly opens up to the girl and they quickly become lovers, which cause a stir in the community, and after it is all said and done and the two boys become friends, somewhat. We find out the girl is very sick, what happens next? Well your either gonna have to watch the film for yourself, or read the first sentence of the review and figure it out on your own.
    Jason R Super Reviewer
  • Jun 04, 2009
    LEELEE SOBIESKI DIES IN THIS MOVIE. If that's a spoiler for you, then congratulations, you're a retarded person. Also, Leelee Sobieski has exactly one expression during that entire movie and that is that she's about to fall asleep at any moment. Also, Leelee Sobieki's character is so stupid that she cheats on her boyfriend at the store where her boyfriend's best friend work and then she's completely shocked to get caught. The only real surprise during the entire movie is that Nicholas Sparks's name is nowhere to be found.
    Quinto W Super Reviewer
  • Dec 23, 2008
    This was really a sweet movie.
    Nani V Super Reviewer
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