Being the first human born on Mars poses a complex set of rather unique problems and challenges for Gardner Elliot (Asa Butterfield – Ender’s Game, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children). With his mom dying during childbirth, on the red planet, Gardner is raised by a team of astronauts and scientists, longing to experience life back on Earth.
Gardner has limited social contact with others his age, carrying on a cyber-friendship with a young girl, Tulsa (Britt Roberson – Tomorrowland) back on Earth, who is oblivious to Gardner’s unique heritage. Finally, all becomes too much, and Gardner’s heart wins over his mind, resulting in him journeying to Earth to find Tulsa and experience the wonders of the blue planet.
Sadly, with all this new found freedom, comes a price, with Gardner’s heart unable to cope with the stronger gravity on Earth. It’s a race against time for Gardner to find Tulsa and his biological father, and for officials at NASA to find Gardner, before his heart gives in.
The Space Between Us has a science fiction premise, but there is merely the backstory, supporting a romantic story. There are no major plot twists, merely a look at the human heart, both physically as Gardner’s strains against the gravity of Earth, and his yearning for a normal life and his feelings for Tulsa.
The film is sure to delight audiences who enjoy an innocent romance. Those seeking a tale set in the realm of science might leave with a twinge of disappointment. That being said, this is an endearing tale, that is sure to leave one with a smile.
The Space Between Us Opens 3 February 2017 in South African cinema.
