The Tree of Life Reviews
Alexander D
Super Reviewer
June 14, 2011
What we're dealing with here is an incredibly intriguing film. Beyond the curious premise, there isn't much we understand in the plot, but the visuals keep our eyes glued to the screen for every last minute. It adds up to two hours and nineteen minutes, so I feel confident in naming this the best cinematographic work I have ever witnessed, captured light years beyond perfection by Mexican photographer Emmanuel Lubezki. However such grandiloquence lost that well-deserved Academy Award to Hugo, I will never understand. As far as sound, the beauty comes quite close. Some of the more narrative scenes are complemented by birds chirping, others muted against piano music. The contrast is even greater during the more philosophical sequences. During some, the loud energy adds to the marvel; during others, you could literally hear a pin drop twenty yards away.
maxthesax
Super Reviewer
July 8, 2012
We're talking the big picture here, and Malick asks the big question... that I don't feel he sufficiently answers the question, or even frames the question in the right way, is my assessment, and feel free to disagree. The question of course is "what's it all mean?" This all encompassing question of course needs delve into who we are as a species; who we "think" we are, and all the man made foibles hoisted upon us over centuries of fear based rhetoric (no matter how you slice it, we're talking "faith" here).
Putting aside issues of belief, what the film really has to offer is some stunning visuals and iconic imagery. The pace is glacial, yet that works well for the first half of the film as we're introduced to a young couple and then their first born, shown as a babe and later as a conflicted adult. There is nary a word spoken in this first half, other than a few spoken words of voice over and what appears to be the big message - the conflict between "nature" and "grace". At this point, since the film meanders like a drought inflicted stream, you have ample time to ponder the issue - and really, it's all in the interpretation and how your own beliefs taint your eye to what is being shown. Each image either resonates with the viewer, or is meaningless filler, depending on your background and upbringing - and that's the real problem with the film - since it is so open to interpretation, the film either has a deep meaning for you, or it's just nice eye candy - at least for the first half.
In the second half the film seems to move from the big show to a more "everyman" approach, showing a family and how each part is a part of a greater whole while shaping said parts in ways that may or may not be beneficial to those parts. I'm ok with this, but not in the way Malick chose to show us. By inferring that this family is ALL families (using some rather odd techniques that keep the narrative dysfunctional at best), I remained detached and not absorbed by the characters - which should be the goal in ANY film. I'm sure one could argue that the disjointed scenes of "growing up" and trying to figure out for yourself, not only your place in the family, but in the world around you, are fine examples of that "every" life - perhaps so, but my feeling is that this second act goes on way too long as the purpose is obvious early on and showing example after example just made me want to scream "Yeah, so? Get on with it!!"
Every time there seems to be an almost cohesive narrative you get some superfluous scene or back track which makes the entire second half seem more of a series of very short vignettes than a fluid film, which is unfortunate for the art of the film is wonderful as so many iconic images of a time a place are captured that you yearn for it all to mesh together.
As for the acting involved here - well, really there isn't any... yep, Sean Penn utters nary a word - just looks purposefully at the camera trying to convey a depth that the script doesn't amply explore. Sure, life's a bitch, and your upbringing perhaps wasn't the best - but fer chissakes, get over it!
Brad Pitt has little more to say as well, though some of his lines do have some import and are delivered in a straight forward fashion. No, this film is all about "looks" - those looks of grave importance as if saying "see, this film has deep meaning, can't you tell just by my look?" Sorry, not buying it, so, in spite of some wonderful photography I have to report that this film came across as puffed up and self important; and doesn't really have anything new or novel to say (as the final scenes of "souls" reconnecting on some barren beach proves, having seen that kind of scene many a time before).
In "The Tree of Life" Terrance Malick has attempted something thought provoking on the grand scale - the type of film that people talk about, or write their high school mid term about. Is that a good thing? I suppose that anything that gets people thinking or talking can't be bad, but ....
We're talking the big picture here, and Malick asks the big question... that I don't feel he sufficiently answers the question, or even frames the question in the right way, is my assessment, and feel free to disagree. The question of course is "what's it all mean?" This all encompassing question of course needs delve into who we are as a species; who we "think" we are, and all the man made foibles hoisted upon us over centuries of fear based rhetoric (no matter how you slice it, we're talking "faith" here).
Putting aside issues of belief, what the film really has to offer is some stunning visuals and iconic imagery. The pace is glacial, yet that works well for the first half of the film as we're introduced to a young couple and then their first born, shown as a babe and later as a conflicted adult. There is nary a word spoken in this first half, other than a few spoken words of voice over and what appears to be the big message - the conflict between "nature" and "grace". At this point, since the film meanders like a drought inflicted stream, you have ample time to ponder the issue - and really, it's all in the interpretation and how your own beliefs taint your eye to what is being shown. Each image either resonates with the viewer, or is meaningless filler, depending on your background and upbringing - and that's the real problem with the film - since it is so open to interpretation, the film either has a deep meaning for you, or it's just nice eye candy - at least for the first half.
In the second half the film seems to move from the big show to a more "everyman" approach, showing a family and how each part is a part of a greater whole while shaping said parts in ways that may or may not be beneficial to those parts. I'm ok with this, but not in the way Malick chose to show us. By inferring that this family is ALL families (using some rather odd techniques that keep the narrative dysfunctional at best), I remained detached and not absorbed by the characters - which should be the goal in ANY film. I'm sure one could argue that the disjointed scenes of "growing up" and trying to figure out for yourself, not only your place in the family, but in the world around you, are fine examples of that "every" life - perhaps so, but my feeling is that this second act goes on way too long as the purpose is obvious early on and showing example after example just made me want to scream "Yeah, so? Get on with it!!"
Every time there seems to be an almost cohesive narrative you get some superfluous scene or back track which makes the entire second half seem more of a series of very short vignettes than a fluid film, which is unfortunate for the art of the film is wonderful as so many iconic images of a time a place are captured that you yearn for it all to mesh together.
As for the acting involved here - well, really there isn't any... yep, Sean Penn utters nary a word - just looks purposefully at the camera trying to convey a depth that the script doesn't amply explore. Sure, life's a bitch, and your upbringing perhaps wasn't the best - but fer chissakes, get over it!
Brad Pitt has little more to say as well, though some of his lines do have some import and are delivered in a straight forward fashion. No, this film is all about "looks" - those looks of grave importance as if saying "see, this film has deep meaning, can't you tell just by my look?" Sorry, not buying it, so, in spite of some wonderful photography I have to report that this film came across as puffed up and self important; and doesn't really have anything new or novel to say (as the final scenes of "souls" reconnecting on some barren beach proves, having seen that kind of scene many a time before).
Emil K
Super Reviewer
September 24, 2011
It's fragmented storytelling is something that very soon becomes tiresome and after that just irritating. Malick has clearly wanted to make something closer to an poem but the result is like an parody of an art-film.
This is exactly one of those films where director's own head is too deep in his own ass. It only serves us endless steadicam-shots of people walking, children playing and then some more walking with whispery voiceover at the background. Malick also over uses heavily classical-music, maybe to make it all seem even more artsy, and after thirty minutes into film i found it extremely bad decision.
Directing actors has never been Malick's strenght and here it is evident most clearly. Brad Pitt's character is one dimensional and completely hollow as a family's dad and Jessica Chastain is criminally underused as a housewife and so is Sean Penn who is left wandering in a futuristic buildings and beach shore. It is the children who gets most of the screentime but even they cannot do much with material like this.
The Tree of Life reminded me of Gaspar Noe's Enter the Void, which also was a film that reached to the stars but failed quite badly. Still Noe is far more better as a filmmaker than Malick.
Malick has made these hollow and artsy films for his whole career, with only exception in the form of quite impressive The Thin Red Line, and now he has reached his nadir as a filmmaker. The Tree of Life is his worst film and certainly one of the worst films i've seen in past decade.
So here it is, Terrence Malick's own magnum opus and the winner of Palme d'Or 2011 at Cannes and what an utter garbage it is. The Tree of Life is pretentious and artsy to the bone.
It's fragmented storytelling is something that very soon becomes tiresome and after that just irritating. Malick has clearly wanted to make something closer to an poem but the result is like an parody of an art-film.
This is exactly one of those films where director's own head is too deep in his own ass. It only serves us endless steadicam-shots of people walking, children playing and then some more walking with whispery voiceover at the background. Malick also over uses heavily classical-music, maybe to make it all seem even more artsy, and after thirty minutes into film i found it extremely bad decision.
Directing actors has never been Malick's strenght and here it is evident most clearly. Brad Pitt's character is one dimensional and completely hollow as a family's dad and Jessica Chastain is criminally underused as a housewife and so is Sean Penn who is left wandering in a futuristic buildings and beach shore. It is the children who gets most of the screentime but even they cannot do much with material like this.
The Tree of Life reminded me of Gaspar Noe's Enter the Void, which also was a film that reached to the stars but failed quite badly. Still Noe is far more better as a filmmaker than Malick.
Malick has made these hollow and artsy films for his whole career, with only exception in the form of quite impressive The Thin Red Line, and now he has reached his nadir as a filmmaker. The Tree of Life is his worst film and certainly one of the worst films i've seen in past decade.
Raymond W
Super Reviewer
April 2, 2011
After my first viewing of The Tree of Life, I felt deeply and profoundly moved, and at the same time frustrated and annoyed. Annoyed because I didn't fully understand some of what was going on, frustrated that I didn't know who Sean Penn was, or why some of what was was shown was in the film at all. Now, six months after my first viewing, I watched it again. This time, the film made much more sense, and I was even more deeply moved. The film changed my mood for the rest of the day, and the day after. Most people will not have the patience to sit through this impressionistic film, but for those who do, it will be a most rewarding experience like no other. In my second viewing, I had a much easier time understanding the whispered dialogue, and the cosmic montages, and had a lot more time to sit back and really enjoy the lavish and stunning cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki. The Tree of Life is a typical Terrence Malick film, but yet unlike anything you will ever experience. Second viewing will be more rewarding than the first, so the patience is extremely rewarding. Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is nothing less than a masterpiece.
Christopher H
Super Reviewer
June 13, 2011
The cinematography is great, and every scene vibrates with beautiful colors, unfortunately, director Terrence Malick seemed more interested in preaching his own personal philosophies and beliefs rather than telling a story. About 20 minutes in the movie turns into a Discovery Channel documentary on the beginning of the universe. This sequence goes on for 40 min. and it left my head scratching as to how it has anything to do with the family's story in the 1950's. The highly colored imagery will keep the eyes engaged, but the story is told in such a jaded and over-abstract manner that it becomes almost impossible to care because the story becomes hard to follow the more it goes along. I liked Brad Pitt but Sean Penn, who is only in the movie for a total of 10-15 minutes, looked confused like he didn't really know what was happening. I am not against abstract ways of storytelling, I actually love it when a movie experiments with less-conventional methods. However, different does not always mean good. I think the film could have benefited greatly with more conventional storytelling without sacrificing beauty or its philosophical subtext. This is a film maybe fun to debate but viewing it feels like a chore.
LWOODS04
Super Reviewer
July 10, 2010
Director: Terrence Malick
Summary: Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star in Terrence Malick's 1950s adventure about a confused man named Jack, who sets off on a journey to understand the true nature of the world. Growing up in the Midwest with two brothers, Jack has always been torn between his mother's guidance to approach everything he encounters with an open heart and his father's advice to look after his own interests. Now, Jack must find a way to regain purpose and perspective.
My Thoughts: "It's starts off like any other film.. But then it turns into a whole different film and for awhile I was confused thinking that I was watching the nature channel, maybe I had accidently turned my t.v. ... But then the actors come back in and it gets interesting again.. Don't get me wrong, the film is beautiful and well made. BUT, the film is sooo long. I mean checking the clock can you be serious it still has an hour to go long. When the actor's were on the screen they captivated me, but I was thrown off with all the nature stuff. It seemed to go on forever.. Got a bit boring. Beautiful, but boring. But I got the message and its a wonderful movie. I just wish it didn't run so long and there was more acting and character developement."
Cast: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Fiona Shaw, Joanna Going, Kari Matchett, Kimberly Whalen, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan
Director: Terrence Malick
Summary: Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star in Terrence Malick's 1950s adventure about a confused man named Jack, who sets off on a journey to understand the true nature of the world. Growing up in the Midwest with two brothers, Jack has always been torn between his mother's guidance to approach everything he encounters with an open heart and his father's advice to look after his own interests. Now, Jack must find a way to regain purpose and perspective.
My Thoughts: "It's starts off like any other film.. But then it turns into a whole different film and for awhile I was confused thinking that I was watching the nature channel, maybe I had accidently turned my t.v. ... But then the actors come back in and it gets interesting again.. Don't get me wrong, the film is beautiful and well made. BUT, the film is sooo long. I mean checking the clock can you be serious it still has an hour to go long. When the actor's were on the screen they captivated me, but I was thrown off with all the nature stuff. It seemed to go on forever.. Got a bit boring. Beautiful, but boring. But I got the message and its a wonderful movie. I just wish it didn't run so long and there was more acting and character developement."
Nadira I
Super Reviewer
June 10, 2011
This film should not be on in mainstream theaters, but since it's there, it would be interesting to see whether some people can stand it or not. In fact, when I am watching this, many people left the room. Some part is just a bit lengthy. It is a film that will blow your mind, in the sense that you will try to find out what the film's meaning is, while maybe there's no obvious thread that could be drawn from it. However, the photography and cinematography is one of the best out there. It's about life, how the earth are created and every single thing that lives on it. An impressionistic and abstract kind of film that is philosophical and religious (on their own right). It is aesthetically compelling and Jessica Chastain stands out from the rest and play the mother really well. Terrence Malick has shown that he is a rare director in today's world.
Albert K
Super Reviewer
May 29, 2011
I get it; it's an artistic movie that gives viewers an experience of emotions, not provocative storytelling. Then again, "The Tree of Life" leans so much towards trying to be artistic that the movie is difficult to watch. "Oh, you're just like all the mindless, ADHD Americans that need an explosion every 5 seconds, huh?" No. If I'm gonna hafta watch a movie and then say, "Oh shoot, this is a movie that I need to focus and surgically pick out the symbolism behind every knick knack," then it ruins the experience. What I'm trying to say is that every movie needs a balance. "The Tree of Life" is bloated with art -- skimp on plot...
What I will say that is great about the movie is how pure and focused it is in its message, theme, and tone. And though if one were to handpick out one scene, it may seem directionless and airy, the film knows what it is trying to do. Visuals are fantastic and Malick's approach to address and express huge components to human existence/life is extravagantly simple yet unlike any other movie.
But for someone that loves artistic movies and edgy visuals, "The Tree of Life" was an absolute bore that brought no sort of fulfillment of substance to either be entertained, entranced, or moved by. It's not my type of movie. Don't hate -- I know there are going to be those much smarter and sensitive to be thrusted into its beauty and atmosphere but it's definitely not gonna be the average movie goer.
"wat"
I get it; it's an artistic movie that gives viewers an experience of emotions, not provocative storytelling. Then again, "The Tree of Life" leans so much towards trying to be artistic that the movie is difficult to watch. "Oh, you're just like all the mindless, ADHD Americans that need an explosion every 5 seconds, huh?" No. If I'm gonna hafta watch a movie and then say, "Oh shoot, this is a movie that I need to focus and surgically pick out the symbolism behind every knick knack," then it ruins the experience. What I'm trying to say is that every movie needs a balance. "The Tree of Life" is bloated with art -- skimp on plot...
What I will say that is great about the movie is how pure and focused it is in its message, theme, and tone. And though if one were to handpick out one scene, it may seem directionless and airy, the film knows what it is trying to do. Visuals are fantastic and Malick's approach to address and express huge components to human existence/life is extravagantly simple yet unlike any other movie.
But for someone that loves artistic movies and edgy visuals, "The Tree of Life" was an absolute bore that brought no sort of fulfillment of substance to either be entertained, entranced, or moved by. It's not my type of movie. Don't hate -- I know there are going to be those much smarter and sensitive to be thrusted into its beauty and atmosphere but it's definitely not gonna be the average movie goer.
FilmFanatik
Super Reviewer
March 9, 2012
I'll be the first to admit that Terrence Malick's work doesn't consist of the kinds of films that are meant for widespread audience appeal. His movies fall somewhere in between the middle of art house independence and narrative stories with big name stars, but the art house aspect looms over each film and semes to polarize audiences because of it. Such is the case with The Tree of Life, which when screened in public for the first time received both cheers and boos. Clearly this is another film that either you love it or hate it, and there's no in between. As for myself, I found the film to be quite mesmerizing and thought-provoking. This is a film where you have to sit and wonder what it's about, and what its message is. Personally, I think Malick's work is filled with applicablity and doesn't contain one singular message that it's trying to achieve, and that's what makes his work so engaging. It's intentional, but it won't please everyone. The biggest draw besides this being a Malick film for me was that Douglas Trumbull worked on the special effects, and a lot of them were practical. But you really have to make up your own mind about the 2001-esque beginning of life scenes interspersed with the main story thread, and how it all relates to each other. I try not to follow narrative when it comes to Malick, which is part of the reason that it took me a while to warm up to his work. Throw out any notion of entertainment value and just experience it, and think while you're experiencing it. That's the best piece of advice I can really give when it comes to his films, especially The Tree of Life. Whether or not his work is hackneyed or pretentious is totally up to you.
Graham J
Super Reviewer
February 10, 2012
A haunting meditation on life and death, Malick's Tree Of Life may be the most visually breathtaking film since Kubrick's 2001. The narrative is like a dream (or a nightmare), floating from memory to memory.Malick's style allows him to tell the story of a whole lifetime without saying anything. This is one of those films that not everyone will get, but if you do get it, it will stick with you forever.
E.J. B
Super Reviewer
July 28, 2011
The film suggests that there are two main outlooks to life: nature and grace. Nature is to be selfish, to blame others for your shortcomings, to think of your own pleasure and your own goodwill. Grace is to accept the life that has been given to you and do your best to make it wonderful. Brad Pitt parents his children more so through nature, and Jessica Chastain parents them through grace. But this isn't just a film about growing up.
This film ponders human life in relation to all of existence. It is as if all the millions upon millions of years that it took for life to evolve were all leading up to this moment, as if all human evolution is waited as heavy as the existence of the universe. We will continue to evolve until the end of time, and then what? The story progresses through shots of even the most insignificant of things, but it is these insignificant things that make up our humanity.
Terrence Malick made two great films in the 1970s. He then disappeared for twenty years and from what I understand, he did a lot of traveling. Whatever he learned or discovered has been reflected deeply in his past three films, but none more so than The Tree Of Life. This is a film that reflects on growth, evolution, God, time, space, and what it means to live. It's a celebration of everything that is life, from birth to death. Because really, what is more important to you than this moment in time, and the moments about to come.
Terrence Malick's The Tree Of Life completely redefines everything you expect a movie to be in terms of narrative, storytelling, and plot. This is a film told through the emotional states of a suburban family in the 1950s. It follows one child as he comes to understand the world through his parents.
The film suggests that there are two main outlooks to life: nature and grace. Nature is to be selfish, to blame others for your shortcomings, to think of your own pleasure and your own goodwill. Grace is to accept the life that has been given to you and do your best to make it wonderful. Brad Pitt parents his children more so through nature, and Jessica Chastain parents them through grace. But this isn't just a film about growing up.
This film ponders human life in relation to all of existence. It is as if all the millions upon millions of years that it took for life to evolve were all leading up to this moment, as if all human evolution is waited as heavy as the existence of the universe. We will continue to evolve until the end of time, and then what? The story progresses through shots of even the most insignificant of things, but it is these insignificant things that make up our humanity.
Terrence Malick made two great films in the 1970s. He then disappeared for twenty years and from what I understand, he did a lot of traveling. Whatever he learned or discovered has been reflected deeply in his past three films, but none more so than The Tree Of Life. This is a film that reflects on growth, evolution, God, time, space, and what it means to live. It's a celebration of everything that is life, from birth to death. Because really, what is more important to you than this moment in time, and the moments about to come.
aSpaceCowboy
Super Reviewer
February 26, 2012
If a movie has to be subliminal to tell a story then it's not a movie. It's a advertisement. The whole thing was basically a music video for classic music. And the first 50 minutes of the Tree of Life might as well have never existed. I understood the root of the story, but not the overall message.
Sam B
Super Reviewer
January 3, 2012
Many will hate it, and very few will "get it" (I certainly didn't get it if there was something to get), but as an experience, The Tree of Life has some cool visuals and can best be described as "evocative." Incredibly pretentious, heavy-handed, and definitely too long, but beautiful, emotionally resonant and well-acted nonetheless.
xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
Super Reviewer
May 8, 2011
Amazing Film! Great story, astounding cinematography and wonderful acting. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. This film is not for everyone and I assure you will like this film or you won't, there is no middle point here.
The impressionistic story of a Texas family in the 1950s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith.
A family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence.
Amazing Film! Great story, astounding cinematography and wonderful acting. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. This film is not for everyone and I assure you will like this film or you won't, there is no middle point here.
The impressionistic story of a Texas family in the 1950s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith.
Kase V
Super Reviewer
April 28, 2011
Terrence Malick's 'The Tree of Life' is an awe-inspiring film on a very technical level. The cinematography may be the best of the year, it is filled with great performances, and Malick's direction is as sure-handed as ever. But this film serves on more of an artistic level than an entertaining one. The run time will drag you along with it, and the enigmatic narration will not keep you enticed. The average movie goer will have major problems with this film, but thats how all Terrence Malick's films are. But if you sit back and absorb the beautiful imagery and philosophical commentary that underlies each shot, you will be much more appreciative. The next step is realizing that Malick is one of the most important filmmakers of this generation.
Julian Left
Super Reviewer
September 24, 2011
You may ask yourself why a so late review on The Tree of Life. Aside from some personal matters I have to say that when I had the chance to write it I felt like there's so many things to write about this movie and that a shorter review will not be a fair exposition. Now, someone reminded me that I still have not written any review for this film and I was shocked to realize it so I instantly grabbed my pen and started to scratch my paper.
How do you start a review for The Tree of Life, a movie that deals with so many themes, with so many details, with a great amount of symbolism, and with so much emotion... Basically, like the movie itself, if you start with a basic beginning then your review wouldn't make any sense. You have to start with the middle, which is the core of the movie and not with the literal story. What I see as being the core of the movie is evolution, the showdown between matter and antimatter, the unification of body and spirit, the world of physical and spiritual, the way of nature and the way of grace. This is such a wide thoughtful theme that it's impossible to describe it in few words. What Malick is presenting us is the evolution of our universe thus the evolution of humans as well. Both of these paths are represented by Malick in space and in time, in space and on Earth. Malick puts his images in contrast one with another. He uses the cosmic events that were the pillars of evolution to describe life on Earth. He sends a message about both our insignificance in the grand scale of things ("Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?") and our importance to Earth and ourselves and to a possible God.
Malick's film can be analyzed and can be given a thousand interpretations. You could take for example, the literally interpretation that this film follows the story of a Midwestern family in the 1950s. You are given images of joy and happiness of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien (Brad Pitt & Jessica Chastain) and their sons. You see birth but you also see death. You can also see how could these moments change your beliefs and your entire attitude. In the brute state of the narrative, Mr. O'Brien represents the way of nature. He's hard-headed, he's physically strong, he shows few signs of pain even when he has to deal with the death of his son. He thinks a man would only succeed in this world if he's tough. A man that punishes severely his kids when they do something wrong. Even though he might seem a bad person, he actually isn't. He cares for his kids and his love for them is as great as their mother's. He's that man that forces his kids to go to church because he's a true christian. He's warm inside and he knows that he might produce suffering to other but he think that that is the only way you could survive in this world. Mrs. O'Briend on the other hand represents the way of grace. She's gentle, she's always relieved, she loves playing with her children, she's also a woman that believes in God but doesn't use the common tools of appreciating God. For example, she's the opposite of her husband. When he tells their kids to go to church she is against the idea of forcing them. So she's a mother that dedicates her life to her kids not only by being there for them and playing with them but also to assure their freedom of choice. In few words she's a fighter for the free will were the father isn't. Now in times of death, she suffers greatly, she's collapsing into a world of doubt and she starts to question God. Why did He made that decision? Now before we'll go further you have notice a thing here. While the father represents the way of nature, he has the grace in him. And while the mother represents the way of grace, she has the nature in her. Therefore the idea, that one cannot exist without the other.
Now what Malick does when she's questioning God is to show us this long beautifully poetic sequence of the creation of both the Universe and Earth. He's giving an answer. He's simply implying that one death created by an accident in the middle of all these things that happen in this universe is actually the way the nature works. He's not responsible for it because he is about bigger things than the life of one person. It's a really understandable idea that many christians never think of. It's easy to judge the Creator when you don't really understand what He stands for. That is what Malick is presenting us. But the movie doesn't stop here. We also get to see one of O'Brien's son, Jack (Sean Penn), in his adult state. A man that still mourns his passed brother, a man that inherited his father's nature. A man that is surrounded by tall and sharp buildings. A man that leaves in a cold cube of glass. He's blaming his dad for his current state and dreams about his mother's grace. He wants to achieve that second of peace but he cannot do it until he opens himself to the way of grace, until spiritually he frees himself from the jail that he's locked in. That's where the ending of the movie comes. Because all-along the film, we are given clues of why Jack ended up more like his father than his mother. But the ending shows us two things. Cosmically it shows us the end of times on Earth, spiritually it shows us a possible frontier at the end of our time.
The cinematic experience at the end of the film is heart-breaking. It's so emotional, so full of symbolism, that it's impossible for you to understand everything from the first viewing. In the end, Jack rediscovers the way of grace by meeting his little brother, his mother, and his father at the frontier I was talking about. He becomes free with the help of a simple vision or the truth itself. It's hard to explain what really happens with a perfect accuracy because there's no such thing in The Tree of Life. And that's the beauty of it. The literal story is so rich and complex in symbolism that you almost forget that there's a bigger story that is the actual point of the film. That being the possible existence of a God, and the unification of the physical and spiritual world, the importance of both science and concept of God.
The complexity of this is as challenging probably as 2001: A Space Odyssey's ending because we have less proofs of what is really happening and we are given the right to choose what we believe we just saw. And isn't that the point? Because that's exactly what God wants. If Malick had a clear message then the movie would have failed from the beginning. Terrence Malick is responsible for one of the most important movies of our time. It's masterpiece and it only falls short because of the movie's possible length and staleness for some. It's not really a movie that everyone would like. But so was 2001. So is Blade Runner. These are movies that are not made to satisfy people but to spark something in the mind of those that love them.
Emmanuel Lubezki's work is impeccable. If this doesn't win the Oscar for Best Cinematography I will quit watching the Oscars. It would be one of the worst choices the Academy has done from it's inception to this day. His choice of natural lightning, the beautiful color palette, his framing is breathtaking because every second of this film tells a story. That's why it's so impossible to really review this movie without writing the god damn Bible. And on top of that what Alexandre Desplat succeeds in this film is the epitome of musical storytelling. Not only his original work is amazing but his choice of music from Berlioz to Gorecki is fascinating. I haven't a scene in this film where the cinematography and the music wouldn't fit the story perfectly. The performances are also top notch. Brad Pitt gives a far better performance than in Moneyball and Jessica Chastain created such a believable character, no wonder why she's my pick for this year's actress of the year.
After The Thin Red Line, Terrence Malick comes back with another masterpiece that defies the laws of cinematography, music, and storytelling. The Tree of Life is that important because my review could mean absolute sh*t to someone while it may be the best interpretation for another. The Tree of Life is that good because daring to write a short essay reviewing the film is an actual insult to the genius of Terrence Malick. Some said that this movie's purpose isn't to make sense because it's pure poetry. If that's the case, then poetry is my soul. I loved The Artist. I thought and still think that is an amazing film and I wouldn't be upset if The Artist will take home the Academy Award for Best Picture. However, The Tree of Life winning that award would mean justice for all those years when the Academy screwed up.
Storyline/Dialogue: 9.5
Acting: 9.5
Technical Execution: 10
Replay Value: 9.5
========================
Overall: 9.5
"Some said that The Tree of Life is poetry in motion. If that's the case then poetry is my soul."
You may ask yourself why a so late review on The Tree of Life. Aside from some personal matters I have to say that when I had the chance to write it I felt like there's so many things to write about this movie and that a shorter review will not be a fair exposition. Now, someone reminded me that I still have not written any review for this film and I was shocked to realize it so I instantly grabbed my pen and started to scratch my paper.
How do you start a review for The Tree of Life, a movie that deals with so many themes, with so many details, with a great amount of symbolism, and with so much emotion... Basically, like the movie itself, if you start with a basic beginning then your review wouldn't make any sense. You have to start with the middle, which is the core of the movie and not with the literal story. What I see as being the core of the movie is evolution, the showdown between matter and antimatter, the unification of body and spirit, the world of physical and spiritual, the way of nature and the way of grace. This is such a wide thoughtful theme that it's impossible to describe it in few words. What Malick is presenting us is the evolution of our universe thus the evolution of humans as well. Both of these paths are represented by Malick in space and in time, in space and on Earth. Malick puts his images in contrast one with another. He uses the cosmic events that were the pillars of evolution to describe life on Earth. He sends a message about both our insignificance in the grand scale of things ("Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?") and our importance to Earth and ourselves and to a possible God.
Malick's film can be analyzed and can be given a thousand interpretations. You could take for example, the literally interpretation that this film follows the story of a Midwestern family in the 1950s. You are given images of joy and happiness of Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien (Brad Pitt & Jessica Chastain) and their sons. You see birth but you also see death. You can also see how could these moments change your beliefs and your entire attitude. In the brute state of the narrative, Mr. O'Brien represents the way of nature. He's hard-headed, he's physically strong, he shows few signs of pain even when he has to deal with the death of his son. He thinks a man would only succeed in this world if he's tough. A man that punishes severely his kids when they do something wrong. Even though he might seem a bad person, he actually isn't. He cares for his kids and his love for them is as great as their mother's. He's that man that forces his kids to go to church because he's a true christian. He's warm inside and he knows that he might produce suffering to other but he think that that is the only way you could survive in this world. Mrs. O'Briend on the other hand represents the way of grace. She's gentle, she's always relieved, she loves playing with her children, she's also a woman that believes in God but doesn't use the common tools of appreciating God. For example, she's the opposite of her husband. When he tells their kids to go to church she is against the idea of forcing them. So she's a mother that dedicates her life to her kids not only by being there for them and playing with them but also to assure their freedom of choice. In few words she's a fighter for the free will were the father isn't. Now in times of death, she suffers greatly, she's collapsing into a world of doubt and she starts to question God. Why did He made that decision? Now before we'll go further you have notice a thing here. While the father represents the way of nature, he has the grace in him. And while the mother represents the way of grace, she has the nature in her. Therefore the idea, that one cannot exist without the other.
Now what Malick does when she's questioning God is to show us this long beautifully poetic sequence of the creation of both the Universe and Earth. He's giving an answer. He's simply implying that one death created by an accident in the middle of all these things that happen in this universe is actually the way the nature works. He's not responsible for it because he is about bigger things than the life of one person. It's a really understandable idea that many christians never think of. It's easy to judge the Creator when you don't really understand what He stands for. That is what Malick is presenting us. But the movie doesn't stop here. We also get to see one of O'Brien's son, Jack (Sean Penn), in his adult state. A man that still mourns his passed brother, a man that inherited his father's nature. A man that is surrounded by tall and sharp buildings. A man that leaves in a cold cube of glass. He's blaming his dad for his current state and dreams about his mother's grace. He wants to achieve that second of peace but he cannot do it until he opens himself to the way of grace, until spiritually he frees himself from the jail that he's locked in. That's where the ending of the movie comes. Because all-along the film, we are given clues of why Jack ended up more like his father than his mother. But the ending shows us two things. Cosmically it shows us the end of times on Earth, spiritually it shows us a possible frontier at the end of our time.
The cinematic experience at the end of the film is heart-breaking. It's so emotional, so full of symbolism, that it's impossible for you to understand everything from the first viewing. In the end, Jack rediscovers the way of grace by meeting his little brother, his mother, and his father at the frontier I was talking about. He becomes free with the help of a simple vision or the truth itself. It's hard to explain what really happens with a perfect accuracy because there's no such thing in The Tree of Life. And that's the beauty of it. The literal story is so rich and complex in symbolism that you almost forget that there's a bigger story that is the actual point of the film. That being the possible existence of a God, and the unification of the physical and spiritual world, the importance of both science and concept of God.
The complexity of this is as challenging probably as 2001: A Space Odyssey's ending because we have less proofs of what is really happening and we are given the right to choose what we believe we just saw. And isn't that the point? Because that's exactly what God wants. If Malick had a clear message then the movie would have failed from the beginning. Terrence Malick is responsible for one of the most important movies of our time. It's masterpiece and it only falls short because of the movie's possible length and staleness for some. It's not really a movie that everyone would like. But so was 2001. So is Blade Runner. These are movies that are not made to satisfy people but to spark something in the mind of those that love them.
Emmanuel Lubezki's work is impeccable. If this doesn't win the Oscar for Best Cinematography I will quit watching the Oscars. It would be one of the worst choices the Academy has done from it's inception to this day. His choice of natural lightning, the beautiful color palette, his framing is breathtaking because every second of this film tells a story. That's why it's so impossible to really review this movie without writing the god damn Bible. And on top of that what Alexandre Desplat succeeds in this film is the epitome of musical storytelling. Not only his original work is amazing but his choice of music from Berlioz to Gorecki is fascinating. I haven't a scene in this film where the cinematography and the music wouldn't fit the story perfectly. The performances are also top notch. Brad Pitt gives a far better performance than in Moneyball and Jessica Chastain created such a believable character, no wonder why she's my pick for this year's actress of the year.
After The Thin Red Line, Terrence Malick comes back with another masterpiece that defies the laws of cinematography, music, and storytelling. The Tree of Life is that important because my review could mean absolute sh*t to someone while it may be the best interpretation for another. The Tree of Life is that good because daring to write a short essay reviewing the film is an actual insult to the genius of Terrence Malick. Some said that this movie's purpose isn't to make sense because it's pure poetry. If that's the case, then poetry is my soul. I loved The Artist. I thought and still think that is an amazing film and I wouldn't be upset if The Artist will take home the Academy Award for Best Picture. However, The Tree of Life winning that award would mean justice for all those years when the Academy screwed up.
Storyline/Dialogue: 9.5
Acting: 9.5
Technical Execution: 10
Replay Value: 9.5
========================
Overall: 9.5
Julie B
Super Reviewer
February 12, 2012
Um. Wha? If you just think of it like a nature movie with some college-pretentious voice-over work, it's at least pretty.
Jay H
Super Reviewer
February 5, 2012
The Tree of Life is not a normal piece of filmmaking by any stretch. And that's certainly not a bad thing. However, understanding the grand scheme of the film's message requires much patience, contemplation, and possibly multiple viewings. Captivating performances from Brad Pitt and young newcomer Hunter McCracken bring the film's lofty goals to fruition and the often stunning visuals are a treat for the eye. Though the average filmgoer will be bored stiff by this film, those willing to patiently wait and consider the film will find themselves very much rewarded. The film gives plenty of food for thought, and after some chewing might end up changing your perspective on life. A beautiful film.
