Review 105: The Tree of Life
The film is the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950's. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack (Hunter McCracken), through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt) Jack (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. Through writer/director Terrence Malick's signature imagery we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life.
The plot is a work of sheer art, it's what I call a director doing what he really wants to do, it's the work of a born filmmaker. It's got so many themes that I cannot begin to describe because they are so hard to comprehend. This film doesn't have a plot in a way, it's a poem-an epic poem for that matter, it's a cinematic poem that will challenge your interlect, your faith and your patience.
It's a film that represents humanity as itself, It's a film that tells us in life there is the way of nature and the way of grace:
Brad Pitt represents nature (this is portrayed well through his rough treatment of the boys which is very 1950's and the effect it has on the boys shows in a scenes were Jack commits acts of vandalism and animal abuse. He later trespasses into a neighbor's house and steals her sheer nightgown).
Jessica Chastain represents grace (this beautifully portrayed through the scenes of her playing with the boys which are gorgeous and almost moved me to tears). We question which way they'll chose and hope their lives will turn out well in the end.
It is also a movie that embraces evolution, faith, science and spirituality. It's a film that will move some and infuriate others. It's also a learning experience as well as technical marvel.
Terrence Malick's direction is unobtrusive, the cinematography is gorgeous/beautiful, the visuals are spectacular, the score by Alexandre Desplat feels as if it was composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced in heaven to quote Richard Roeper, the production design (recreating the 1950's) is sensational, the costume design is mystical, the make up is wonderful.
Malick's use of technical and artistic imagery, directorial style, and fragmented non-linear narrative is innovative, the scenery is breathtaking, the images are transfixing (there are extended scenes of the evolution of existence and history of the earth from volcanic eruptions to sea life to dinosaurs to human kind) add that with beautiful sound effects it feels like a documentary.
The 1950's setting not only adds a bit of nostalgia but also gets the films tone right in showing the evolution of life and earth and the final scenes of the picture are the most moving five minutes of any film.
The acting is beautiful, the performances of Sean Penn, Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain are mesmerising and really carry this film along through it's 2 hrs 19 mins running time and really help ground the film.
Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is a technical marvel in filmmaking, Terrence Malick's most complex work yet and one of the most visually stunning and moving films ever made, 5/5
The Anonymous Critic
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