In the cinemas, there are a handful of directors that don’t make many films, but when they do, you make sure that you stop and watch them, because you don’t know what kind of cinematic and often poetic event will take place. The Tree of Life is one of those events.
In the last forty years, Terrence Malick has only written and directed 7 films. His films are not your traditional films, because he does something in which I wish we would see more; which is bringing more of an artistic and metaphorical presence into the film. Terrence Malick’s masterpiece, with even taking in this film would still be ‘The Thin Red Line’ from 1998. Only Malick and the late Stanley Kubrick, who has done Dr. Strangelove, 2001, Space Odyssey, and Clockwork Orange, really make movies that stay with you, even after you see it, digest it, and find the beautiful deep message inside of the cinematic experience.
Tree of Life has gotten a lot of buzz this year, because itof the originality which has torn the movie goers opinions to either loving this film, or hating it. This movie is one that stretches your brain, like a parable in the Bible or one of those 3D puzzles. There are three stories happening all at the same time, periodically throughout the film. They are the course of evolution from the volcanic eruption in space to forming a world and species, to a small family in Texas, to the future were one of the kids of that family in Texas is successful but troubled with his past.
By taking evolution, faith and nature all into account, itreally was an interesting way of integrating all into a beautiful message of ultimately following either nature or grace. Brad Pitt plays a father of three boys, who is very stern in teaching his boys to act on the nature part of it. If they do hard work, and nurture the seeds, then you can see your results. The wife of Pitt played by Jessica Chastain demonstrates by teaching the boys grace. The three boys are torn between the two teachings and trying to find what one to follow as they grow up in a small townin Texas.
Early on in the film, we know that one of the boy dies, though we don’t see how or actually what one for the most of it. This was one of the first times in the film were knowing what happened to which one actually didn’t matter. It was the reaction of the death and comparing it to the rest of the story being told to better comprehend what Malick’s message was. Talking with a Hollywood producer after the film, he stated “With a Malick film, there is the main enlightenment that you receive, but there is so much more that pertains to the individual inside.”
Sean Penn plays a successful businessman, assuming an architect that was remembering the pain of losing his brother and his fond memories growing up whether good or bad.
What really worked in the film was the story about the boys growing up and Penn’s part. Sean Penn really knows how to bring emotion and an artistic presence to the film. For Brad Pitt, this was one of his betterroles in his acting career. In fact, thestory of the family in Texas and Penn’s role would’ve made it a great film without the evolution portion.
What didn’t work was that towards the end of the film, it felt like the movie was fizzling out. It was almost as if Malick wanted to fit some much at the end, it kept going like the energizer bunny. I am not saying it is horrible. For most films it was great. I just would’ve recommended it more of a tighter ending. Saying that…that’s why Malick does what he does.
Again, I don’t say that this is his best film done. A Thin Red Line, is his best. However this film leaves you thinking, something it does wear on your patience, but overall it is a beautiful symmetry and at times thought provoking type of a film. This movie will definitely be on my must see only once.
Grade: A
If you liked this film, I recommend:
2001 Space Odyssey 1968
Stand By Me 1986
The Fountain 2006