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The Tree of Life

Play trailer Poster for The Tree of Life PG-13 2011 2h 18m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 293 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In this highly philosophical film by acclaimed director Terrence Malick, young Jack (Hunter McCracken) is one of three brothers growing up as part of the O'Brien family in small-town Texas. Jack has a contentious relationship with his father (Brad Pitt), but gets along well with his beautiful mother (Jessica Chastain). As an adult, Jack (Sean Penn) struggles with his past and tries to make sense of his childhood, while also grappling with bigger existential issues.
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The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life

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Critics Consensus

Terrence Malick's singularly deliberate style may prove unrewarding for some, but for patient viewers, Tree of Life is an emotional as well as visual treat.

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Critics Reviews

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Adam Nayman The Ringer 04/06/2020
Malick's earnest pretentiousness surely invites derisive laughter. But it also withstands it, and like the ancient evergreen of its title, it towers benevolently over less ambitious movies... Go to Full Review Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine 08/27/2019
The Tree of Life in no way measured up. Go to Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator 08/31/2018
Ideally, you would bathe in a film like this without striving to decipher it. As it's a film about what we can't get our heads around, we are probably not meant to get our heads round it. But, even so, it is so audacious it will take your breath away. Go to Full Review Ray Pride Newcity Oct 4
10/10
If you work with a camera that is autonomous and distracted,as Malick does, with promiscuous principal photography that works from inspiration and not text... the meaning gets layered in selection, the decisive moment is then in the edit, not in shooting. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Apr 26
The film is more kaleidoscopic than linear, filled with privileged moments of magic and terror, of remembered shards of treasured memories that have become idealized snapshot, and moments that are more textured evocations of emotions and anxieties. Go to Full Review Wesley Lovell Cinema Sight 10/10/2023
3.5/4
There are two distinct films being made here and while the opening frames of The Tree of Life are some of the finest in memory, there’s little in the middle-to-late section of the film worth noting. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Cooper M @WiseWisdom Dec 20 The critics have spoken and obviously tree of life is an objectively good movie that I subjectively cannot get into. I am a fan of slow methodical storytelling and cinema but this movie simply feels like it tries too hard in my opinion. From the strange editing style that seems to break every editing "rule" just to remind you that you’re watching an art film, to the vagueness which is in place of real philosophical meaning. To me this movie feels like Brat Pitt trying to show off his artistic side, more so then actual depth. Overall this movie try’s too hard in my opinion to be poetic and unfortunately falls flat. The characters all look the same and telling the kids apart is almost impossible for most of the film. Sean Penn is there but his role doesn’t get enough screen time to have impart or to tell the viewers that you’re supposed to be watching his memories. A real and honest story about pain, loss and childhood is hidden under layers of corporate arty-ness. It is shot Nicely. See more Kim P Nov 22 What makes this movie work is the director. There is a spiritual undertone that establishes mood. A quiet film. Absolutely mind expanding pure art at the end, which elevates the film as a whole. See more Dan M Oct 18 Never wanted a film to end more. Painfully pretentious, it mistakes vaguery and uniqueness for philosophical depth. See more Zachary Jacob S Oct 7 This is a DEEP film. With a lot up to interpretation. If you're in to that kind of thing, this is a MUST WATCH! Also, Alexandre Desplat's score is phenomenal in every way! See more Steve Y @Cubby65 Sep 29 I sat down to watch this film in the hopes of being engaged, based on the director and cast. I couldn't get past the first twenty minutes of a combination of artfully shot slow-mo reaction scenes (reactions to something or other), and pretentious 2001 - style visual meditations. See more Melissa V Sep 23 The Tree of Life is less a film than a meditation—poetic, spiritual, and achingly human. Malick captures the sweep of existence and the intimacy of family in a way that feels less like storytelling and more like a testament to life itself. To the viewers who didn’t get it or thought it boring, have you never looked up at the stars? See more Read all reviews
The Tree of Life

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Cast & Crew

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Terrence Malick

Director

Brad Pitt

Mr. O'Brien

Sean Penn

Jack

Jessica Chastain

Mrs. O'Brien

Fiona Shaw

Grandmother

Irene Bedard

Messenger

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The Tree of Life

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this highly philosophical film by acclaimed director Terrence Malick, young Jack (Hunter McCracken) is one of three brothers growing up as part of the O'Brien family in small-town Texas. Jack has a contentious relationship with his father (Brad Pitt), but gets along well with his beautiful mother (Jessica Chastain). As an adult, Jack (Sean Penn) struggles with his past and tries to make sense of his childhood, while also grappling with bigger existential issues.
Director
Terrence Malick
Producer
Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill
Screenwriter
Terrence Malick
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Production Co
Cottonwood Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Some Thematic Material)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 27, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.3M
Runtime
2h 18m
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