The Space Between Us
When I say you have to see The Space Between Us, I mean it from the bottom of my heart. It’s a movie about love, courage and taking a leap of faith even when you know you can lose everything. The Space Between Us is excellent, a story about an extraordinary boy Gardner Elliot (Asa Butterfield) who’s turning 16 and in his short period of life has only met 14 people. You’re probably wondering why only 14 people, did I mention he lives on Mars. Sixteen years prior Elon Musk-like Nathaniel Shepherd (Oldman), heads up the Mars colonization program and sends Gardners mom into space, specifically MARS, two months into her endeavour she realizes she’s pregnant and unfortunately dies during a traumatic child birth. Gardner is to remain on Mars, not knowing what will happen to him physically if he ever comes down to Earth, the risks are far too dangerous for him.
Being a typical teenager, Gardner is intrigued with Earth, in search of the father he’s never known he strikes up an online conversation with a savvy, head strong girl in Colorado, Tulsa (Britt Robertson). “They both have this kind of longing, desire, for being somewhere – belonging somewhere,” Asa Butterfield said. “Tulsa’s been jolted around through various foster homes, and she’s never really settled anywhere – and Gardner’s spent his entire life on Mars, no one knows he exists. They’re kind of united by this idea and this kind of experience.”
When Gardner is finally able to come down to Earth he couldn't be more excited! Crossing paths with strangers he asks, “ What’s your favorite part about Earth?” What a phenomenal question, have you thought about what’s great about Earth? From the air we breath, the sounds we hear, seasons changing, to a baby's laughter, it’s all magnificent. Our tale doesn't end when Gardner lands on earth, scientist discover that Gardners heart can’t withstand the earth's atmosphere, he must return to MARS immediately, his life's in danger. The production team consulted with the medical experts and NASA to determine what living one’s entire life on Mars would actually do to the body. It is absolutely amazing how intricate this movie is, not a single detail was left undone. To capture a glimpse of the future is reveting, from transparent laptops, self driving cars (you can sleep while driving) to potentially living on Mars, remarkable.
I would love to sit here and go into intricate detail about the movie however that would spoil it and truthfully you must see The Space Between US to fall in love with life and the characters, catch your breath as each scene progresses, cheer on Gardner on his journey, see life through his eyes, the awe and wonderment. We’ve become jaded with immediate gratification thru social media that we don’t stop to look at raw beauty, appreciate the tiny things, like rain drops touching our skin, how beautiful a rainbow is after a storm or the sun shining, falling in love with life's beauty, innocence and expressing what you feel with no concern of boundaries or burden. To spark a little magic, hold faith and never stop believing that the impossible can be possible.
Premise ~ In this interplanetary adventure, a space shuttle embarks on the first mission to colonize Mars, only to discover after takeoff that one of the astronauts is pregnant. Shortly after landing, she dies from complications while giving birth to the first human born on the red planet – never revealing who the father is. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Gardner Elliot – an inquisitive, highly intelligent boy who reaches the age of 16 having only met 14 people in his very unconventional upbringing.
While searching for clues about his father, and the home planet he’s never known, Gardner begins an online friendship with a street smart girl in Colorado named Tulsa. When he finally gets a chance to go to Earth, he’s eager to experience all of the wonders he could only read about on Mars – from the most simple to the extraordinary. But once his explorations begin, scientists discover that Gardner’s organs can’t withstand Earth’s atmosphere.
Eager to find his father, Gardner escapes the team of scientists and joins with Tulsa on a race against time to unravel the mysteries of how he came to be, and where he belongs in the universe.
In Theaters February 3, 2017