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"'The Tree Of Life' 'Two Jews On Film' Only One Says Bravo To Malick's Brilliant Masterpiece (Video)"
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Evolution vs Eternity: An Odyssey & A Galaxy
-
Jul 11, 2011
- by Sharrie
- posted in Movie Hype
Rating:
The Tree of Life is a good movie. It is a deep one too. It asks many questions and provide no distinctive answers that matter to the world at large except those of our very own. It is also a movie that is a tad too long for many audiences, imho.
+4
The Tree of Life is a movie for many adults but definitely not for children, despite the fact that half its cast is made up of children. When children are not matured enough, asking those very questions asked by the movie can present nasty consequences.
So, let's kick off this review with analyzing who will likely enjoy this film:
- Photographers - For the many sections of this movie, it feels like a National Geographic documentary. The difference is it doesn't narrate but instead uses music as subtitle. In the context of the questions asked, the images evoke emotions which lead to even more questions and associations. Depending on how focused one is and how much one relates them to what's been happening in the world, this movie seduces and challenges our intelligence and knowledge. At some point, it becomes a philosophical journey for the audience. The beauty of it is not just in the many spectacular images of the planet but also in what they evoke in all of us.
- Philosophers - Anyone who has not think himself/herself to be one will probably ask the very question at some point in the movie. Anyone who claims to be will have a roller-coaster ride on this one.
- Parents - For those viewers who are middle aged now they will probably relate well. Some have authoritarian parent/s who brought up children like military personnel. Some may find the feelings evoked in this movie very familiar and uncomfortable. Questions like family violence, emotional abuse and love as one knows it may popped up in your mind. Hence, it's also great for parents and adult children. In some ways, it's also sad that many parents may love their children but they have no idea how to love in the "right" way and to only find out too late.
- Adults - For many who are now in their adult age, I'm sure they see bits and pieces of their lives reflected on the screen. Will they find the answer to those questions posed? Will they like the answers they find while watching the movie? It all depends...
- Christians, those who are religious & those who believe God exists - I'm not so sure if atheist or the most stubborn would enjoy the movie or see it the way I see it. God takes center stage in the movie and although it's a journey in search of one, until you can find, feel and know one, it's tough to relate. But, for those who believe in one, I think it's a movie they will enjoy. Spiritually wise, the are many layers one may go through in this film. The director doesn't tell you specifically what to see, feel and conclude. Instead, one may take whatever one is presented to during the entire movie. That I think is the beauty of this film. It's unconventional and it's certainly worth experiencing.
What this movie is not:
- Entertaining - Too many questions about life and our motivations are asked. Visually, it is entertaining. The plot is not. It is not a movie about laughter, I mean. It is about love and life though.
- Religious - Spiritual yes, religious, no (if I'm not mistaken). The background is Christianity though.
- Conclusive - It doesn't give answers, it asks even more although it hints of possible answers.
- Ordinary - It's not your normal fare (of entertainment). Evolution, asteroids, tsunami, volcanic eruptions, life and death all rolled into one. It's certainly ambitious in its reach!
What this movie is (imho):
- Poetic & visually expressive
- Enlightening & powerful
- Reconciliating
- Worth the time
- A tad too long!
- Interesting - I have the urge to read the book as I want to find out what it tells me versus the questions it asked. I wonder if the layers I went through in the entire 2+ hours are in tandem with the spirit of the author and director. Not many movies offer such interaction as far as I'm concerned.
What I like about this movie:
- The questions I asked myself as a result of associations
- The answers I found (sorry, but this is for my personal keepsake ;-); everyone should give himself/herself the chance to find those answers through the film)
- The artistic impression
- The cast. Oh, it's not Sean Penn, Brad Pitt or Jessica Chastain. It is each and everyone of us who is present (in spirit) in the the entire length of the movie. Some of us have rebirths while others are changed forever.
In sum, this is an experience. Not a movie per se... it is growth and it is forgiveness (if you wonder what I mean, go check out the film ;-))
P.S.: Actually, it'd have gotten a +5 but 2 distinct things which exasperated me:
1) I was already sold 3/4 (or even 1/2 of the film) and then the director keeps on and on... It was like the salesman who didn't know how to close a sale.
2) There wasn't quite a distinctive conclusion as far as I'm concerned & it's not quite a human quality to not be able to find "closure" if you know what I mean. The film is like a process, a work-in-progress. It doesn't follow a pattern or set-up and I believe many would find it hard to just let it be. Its strength is also its weakness, in that sense. Naturally, depending on how you like to see things in life :)
Not forgetting what makes it a special movie to begin with is that from the beginning, I've no idea where it leads... and to be poetic about it, it's just like our planet and evolution, we have no idea where the end is or when it will be!!!
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I decided after 4 attempts not to try to review the movie, it's too overwhelming in both good and bad ways to stay a manageable review. I do have to say it is similar in structure to 2001 and the other Malick movies: The New Worls and The Thin Red Line. And as an amateur photographer I can say that the movie has photographers in mind more than casual movie-goers expecting an exciting plot.
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It is what each of us takes away that makes it a powerful film. The highest evolution about humans and its relevance to the planet are being portrayed and yet it also hints of the end. Did I enjoy it? Yes. But, I wish it's slightly shorter ;-) Sensory overload & emotionally explosive!
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About the reviewer
Sharrie (Sharrie)
Ranked #14
Ranked #14
I'm a traveler at heart & have been nicknamed Travel Queen by friends & colleagues alike. Traveling has been my life passion for the last decade or so. As we enter a new decade, I'm excited … more
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About this movie
The Tree of Life is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick, and starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain. The film premiered in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and won the Palme d'Or.
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Movies, Drama, Films, Julian Left, Brad Pitt, Movie Review, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, The Tree Of Life, Tree Of Life By Terrence Malick
Director:
Terrence Malick
Genre:
Drama,
Sci-Fi
Release Date:
27 May 2011 (USA)
MPAA Rating:
PG-13
Screen Writer:
Terrence Malick
Runtime:
138 minutes
Studio:
Chockstone Pictures,
Cottonwood Pictures,
Plan B Entertainment
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Actually, it'd have gotten a +5 but 2 distinct things which exasperated me:
1) I was already sold 3/4 (or even 1/2 of the film) and then the director keeps on and on... It was like the salesman who didn't know how to close a sale.
2) There wasn't quite a distinctive conclusion as far as I'm concerned & it's not quite a human quality to not be able to find "closure" if you know what I mean. The film is like a process, a work-in-progress. It doesn't follow a pattern or set-up and I believe many would find it hard to just let it be. Its strength is also its weakness, in that sense. Naturally, depending on how you like to see things in life :)
Not forgetting what makes it a special movie to begin with is that from the beginning, I've no idea where it leads... and to be poetic about it, it's just like our planet and evolution, we have no idea where the end is or when it will be!!!