The lives of three young people — a rich student, a girl from the "wrong side of the tracks" and her boyfriend — unexpectedly intersect during one fateful summer in the romantic drama "Here on Earth."

Kelley Morse (Chris Klein), who is cocky and brash, normally would never have crossed paths with the residents of a small town near his posh private school. But when he takes his shiny new Mercedes out for a drive, he locks horns with some of the locals, including Jasper (Josh Hartnett). As Jasper’s willful girlfriend Samantha (Leelee Sobieski) looks on, Kelley and Jasper engage in a dangerous car race that turns disastrous, leaving a popular diner owned by Samantha’s mother in ruins.

Kelley and Jasper are sentenced to a creatively ironic but fitting punishment: They must help rebuild the diner. Not only does this ruin Kelley’s summer plans, he also must board at the home of his rival, Jasper. Kelley begins to fulfill his "sentence," but refuses to have anything to do with Jasper and his parents.

When Kelley again encounters Samantha, the attraction is immediate and strong. First love blossoms in the Berkshire woods ("a little bit of heaven, here on earth," Samantha calls the pastoral setting) — angering Jasper, who has known Samantha practically his entire life. These new feelings and the romantic triangle that develops are only the beginning of a new journey for Kelley, Samantha and Jasper, as they ultimately make life-changing discoveries about themselves and each other.

Fox 2000 Pictures presents a David T. Friendly production, starring Chris Klein, Leelee Sobieski, and Josh Hartnett in "Here On Earth," also starring Bruce Greenwood, Annette O’Toole, Annie Corley, Stuart Wilson and Michael Rooker. The film is directed by Mark Piznarski, produced by David T. Friendly, and written by Michael Seitzman. The executive producer is Jeffrey Downer.

The director of photography is Michael D. O’Shea, A.S.C., production designer is Dina Lipton, and the film editor is Robert Frazen. The music supervisor is Dana Millman, and music is by Andrea Morricone.

According to director Mark Piznarski, who makes his big-screen helming debut after directing the highly-rated miniseries "The ’60s" and episodes of "NYPD Blue," "My So Called Life" and "Relativity," "Here on Earth" is not about a rich young man who falls in love. "I think it plays on more levels than that," he explains. "It’s about how three lives are affected by one another. We’re trying to portray young people and their relationships in a mature, realistic way."

For producer David T. Friendly, whose credits include the comedy smash "Doctor Dolittle" and the drama "Courage Under Fire," "Here on Earth" strives to capture the feelings and complexities of first love. "The film relates to something we’ve all experienced — when you first fall for someone and your feelings for him or her are all that exist in the world," he comments. "Our story builds a triangle within the environment of experiencing first love, which in turn provides drama and emotion."

Friendly calls "Here On Earth" a tearjerker — "but in the best sense of the word. I hope it will really touch people’s hearts and make them feel something.

"I’ve done a lot of comedy as a producer, and I love it," he continues. "But there’s just something about a movie that connects with people’s hearts, and that’s what we’re aiming for with ‘Here on Earth’."

Like Friendly, writer Michael Seitzman sees "Here on Earth" as a dramatic story of first love. "That’s really the most exhilarating kind of love," he comments. "I wanted to tell a love story that is unabashedly emotional, and is both tragic and uplifting. I think ‘Here on Earth’ is different from many films that have been released recently, so I hope it will provide something for an underserved audience looking for emotion and feelings in a film."

For the film’s young stars, the story’s honesty and emotion were strong attractions. "The script took me by the throat and grabbed me," remembers Leelee Sobieski, who plays Samantha. "It took me on an unexpected emotional roller coaster ride. When I read it, I cried, I laughed — I went through many emotions. But the most important thing was that it was real."

Sobieski also had strong feelings about her character. "Samantha is quick, smart and warm," the actress offers. "She’s going through something that makes her different from many of her friends. That helps her see that Kelley has a little bit of pain inside him, and she identifies with that — and that brings them together."

Chris Klein, who takes on the role of Kelley, had a similar reaction to his character. "I fell in love with the character of Kelley," he recalls, "because playing him gave me the opportunity to experience emotions and really practice the craft of acting.

"Kelley is confident, cocky and edgy," Klein continues, "but his encounters with Samantha soften him up." Klein also notes the importance of family in the film. "‘Here on Earth’ explores more than just teen relationships," he states. "It also says a lot about families, since Kelley’s views are changed not only by the experience of first love, but by observing the warmth and values of the Cavanaugh and Arnold families."

The third member of the film’s romantic triangle, Josh Hartnett, who plays Jasper, also appreciated the story’s reality and emotion. "‘Here on Earth’ reminds me of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden," he points out. "It has that kind of earthy tone, and the characters all have some conflict they’re going through." But working on "Here on Earth" also had a more down-to-earth bonus. "It gave me the chance to return home and spend time with friends," relates Josh, who grew up not far from the film’s Minnesota locations.

The "Here on Earth" soundtrack, from Columbia Records, features the hit single "Where You Are," a duet by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey (of 98 Degrees). The song is Simpson’s follow-up to her #1 single, "I Wanna Love You Forever." Klein and Sobieski have small roles in the music video produced for the story.

Although "Here on Earth" is set among the beautiful verdant hills, lakes and woods of the Berkshires, the lack of a crew base in Massachusetts necessitated that filming take place elsewhere. Locations all over the country were scouted for a suitable double for the Berkshires, one that would also provide the necessary skilled personnel. In addition, the area had to have birch trees, because a key story element revolves around the Robert Frost poem "Birches."

After much searching, the filmmakers decided to shoot in Minnesota. "It was just about perfect," remembers David T. Friendly. "It had what was needed to stand in for the Berkshires — hills, rivers and, especially, lakes." And since several films have been made in Minnesota, including "Fargo," "A Simple Plan" and the "Mighty Ducks" films, the area had a solid base of skilled film personnel.

Production designer Dina Lipton oversaw turning an area of the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" into rustic New England. The production actually redressed the entire town of Welsh, Minnesota to double for the story’s fictitious town of Putnam, Massachusetts.

CHRIS KLEIN (Kelley Morse) co-starred in the outrageous summer comedy hit "American Pie." He made his professional acting debut in the critically hailed film "Election."

Born in Chicago, Klein moved to Omaha at age 13. In high school he excelled at football and starred in several school stage productions, including the role of Tony in "West Side Story." It was during his senior year that he literally bumped into director Alexander Payne as he was scouting Klein’s high school as a possible location for "Election." After an audition for Payne, and only four weeks into his first semester at Texas Christian University, Klein received the offer to star in "Election."

Klein’s latest film is "Say It Isn’t So," also starring Heather Graham. Produced by Peter Farrelly & Bobby Farrelly & Bradley Thomas, and directed by J.B. Rogers, the outrageous comedy will be released by Twentieth Century Fox later this year.

LEELEE SOBIESKI (Samantha Cavanaugh) co-starred in the recent romantic comedy "Never Been Kissed," released by Twentieth Century Fox. She most recently had a key role in director Stanley Kubrick’s provocative "Eyes Wide Shut," starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Sobieski received an Emmy® and Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the title role in the high-rated miniseries "Joan of Arc."

She made her feature film debut in the Tim Allen starrer "Jungle 2 Jungle" and starred opposite Elijah Wood in "Deep Impact." She also starred in the Merchant/Ivory production "A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries," which called for Sobieski to exercise her fluent French. Shot on location in Paris, she starred as the central character Channe, alongside Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Hershey.

She recently wrapped production on the thriller "Squelch," to be released by Twentieth Century Fox in 2000, and is currently lensing the independent film "My First Mister," opposite Albert Brooks and directed by Christine Lahti. She will next star in "The Glass House" for "Cape Fear" scribe Wesley Strick.

JOSH HARTNETT (Jasper Arnold) made his feature film acting debut in 1998 as Jamie Lee Curtis’ son in "Halloween: H20," earning an MTV Movie Award™ nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance. He then co-starred in the science fiction thriller "The Faculty," written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Robert Rodriguez. Most recently, Hartnett had a featured role in Sofia Coppola’s critically acclaimed directorial debut, "The Virgin Suicides," which after screening at the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals, will be released nationally in April. Later this year Hartnett stars opposite Mekhi Phifer and Julia Stiles in "O," a modern day version of Shakespeare’s classic "Othello." Other upcoming films include "Town and Country," starring Warren Beatty, and "Blow Dry," opposite Rachel Leigh Cook.

BRUCE GREENWOOD’s (Earl Cavanaugh) recent motion picture credits include "Double Jeopardy," starring Ashley Judd and Tommy Lee Jones, and director Atom Egoyan’s critically acclaimed "The Sweet Hereafter" (for which he received a Genie Award nomination). He also starred in Egoyan’s "Exotica." His numerous other film credits include "Disturbing Behavior," "Wild Orchid," "Passenger 57," "Father’s Day," "Thick As Thieves," and the upcoming "Cord," "Rules of Engagement," "The Lost Son," and "13 Days" in which he plays John F. Kennedy.

He was a series regular on "Nowhere Man" and "St. Elsewhere," appeared on "The Larry Sanders Show," and won a Gemini Award for his guest appearance on "Road to Avonlea."

ANNETTE O’TOOLE (Jo Cavanaugh) has appeared in over 40 motion picture and television productions. Among her feature credits are "Smile," "One On One," "48 HRS.," "Cat People" (1982) and "Superman III." She was nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe awards for the television miniseries "The Kennedy’s of Massachusetts" and has appeared in numerous television movies including "Final Justice," "The Christmas Box," "It," "Stand By Your Man" and the upcoming "The Huntress."

ANNIE CORLEY (Betsy Arnold) reunites with "Here on Earth" director Mark Piznarski, having co-starred in the miniseries "The ’60s," which Piznarski helmed.

Corley most recently starred in the upcoming "Loving Lulu," opposite Melanie Griffith, Patrick Swayze and Penelope Ann Miller, and "Cider House Rules," with Michael Caine and Tobey Maguire. Her other film credits include "The Bridges of Madison County," "Box of Moonlight" and "Free Willy 3: The Rescue."

Corley’s television credits include an Emmy Award-winning double episode of "NYPD Blue," a recurring role on "The Practice," "Family Law" and the pilot episode of "The West Wing." Her miniseries and television movies include "The Tommyknockers," "Beyond Betrayal" and "The President’s Child."

STUART WILSON (John Morse) has co-starred in numerous motion pictures and made-for-television films. He played the villainous Don Rafael Montero in "The Mask of Zorro," and the equally nefarious Jack Travis in "Lethal Weapon 3." Other notable film credits include "No Escape," "Death and the Maiden" and "The Age of Innocence." His television film credits include "Prime Suspect 4," "Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story," "The Jewel in the Crown" and "Coins in the Fountain."

MICHAEL ROOKER (Malcolm Arnold) has appeared in over 30 motion pictures and television films. His recent credits include "The Bone Collector," "The Replacement Killers" and "A Table for One."

He began his career on the Chicago stage before making the transition to feature films. He garnered critical accolades for his disturbing performance in John McNaughton’s "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer." Among his other notable credits are "Tombstone," "Cliffhanger" and "Bastard Out of Carolina."

MARK PIZNARSKI (Director) helmed the recent television miniseries "The ’60s," which was one of the year’s big ratings hits. His wide-ranging work on television also includes directing episodes of "NYPD Blue," "Relativity" and "My So-Called Life." "Here on Earth" is Piznarski’s feature film directorial debut. He is currently developing another project at Fox 2000 Pictures.

DAVID T. FRIENDLY (Producer) is the principal behind Friendly Productions. He previously served as president of Davis Entertainment, overseeing all aspects of motion picture development and production. Friendly is currently in pre-production on the comedy "Big Momma’s House," starring Martin Lawrence, to be released by Twentieth Century Fox in summer, 2000.

Friendly previously was President of Production at Imagine Films working on many projects including, "Kindergarten Cop," "Backdraft," "The Dream Team" and "The ’burbs." He served as executive producer on "My Girl," "My Girl 2," "For Love or Money" and "Greedy." Friendly also produced the box-office hits "Doctor Dolittle," "Out to Sea," "Courage Under Fire" and "Daylight," and executive produced the film adaptation of John Grisham’s "The Chamber."

MICHAEL SEITZMAN (Writer) wrote and directed the 1997 big-screen comedy "Farmer & Chase," starring Todd Field, Ben Gazzara and Lara Flynn Boyle, about a career thief forming a partnership with his reluctant son. He is currently writing a remake of the 1932 Ernst Lubitsch comedy "Trouble in Paradise" for Fox 2000 Pictures. He is also writing or co-writing several other feature film projects, and he will write and direct the drama "The Princess of Paradise Park." In addition, he is preparing a one-hour drama for Twentieth Century Fox Television entitled "Jersey."

JEFFREY DOWNER (Executive Producer) was most recently the co-producer/UPM on the hit comedy "Never Been Kissed," starring Drew Barrymore. He also served in that capacity on the HBO movie "Always Outnumbered" starring Laurence Fishburne. As a line producer or unit production manager, Downer’s credits include the films "Speed 2: Cruise Control," "Gang Related," "Courage Under Fire," "Dunston Checks In," "Things To Do in Denver When You’re Dead," "Mr. Holland’s Opus" and "Love Potion No. 9." For television he was the UPM on the HBO telefilms "And the Band Played On" and "Barbarians at the Gate," and the USA movies "Dangerous Heart" and "Lies of the Twins."

MICHAEL D. O’SHEA, A.S.C. (Director of Photography) previously collaborated with director Mark Piznarski on the miniseries "The ’60s." His other television credits include the series "Once and Again" and two "Rockford Files" telefilms. He was cinematographer on two Mel Brooks-directed feature comedies, "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" and "Robin Hood: Men In Tights."

DINA LIPTON (Production Designer) recently worked on the comedy "Next Friday." Her other credits as production designer include Albert Brooks’ "The Muse," "Very Bad Things," "The Players Club," "Mad Dog Time" and "Mallrats." She was art director on "Mr. Holland’s Opus," "Celtic Pride" and "The Last Seduction"

ROBERT FRAZEN (Film Editor) worked with director Mark Piznarski on the hit miniseries "The ’60s." His other credits include the television series "My So Called Life," "Relativity," "Felicity," "Party of Five," "Sirens," "Lost and Found" and "C-16: FBI."

ISIS MUSSENDEN (Costume Designer) has worked on numerous feature film and television productions. Her recent credits include "American Psycho," and "The Astronaut’s Wife." She also was costume designer on "Dante’s Peak," "Daylight." "Matinee," "Sleep With Me," "The Waterdance" and "Powwow Highway," among other titles.

ANDREA MORRICONE (Music), the son of renowned composer Ennio Morricone, contributed his first film score to "Liberty Heights."