The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick garnered attention upon its release. Now the 2011 Palme d’Or of the 64th Cannes Film Festival, Nice Premium presents this film with its inimitable style.
Terrence Malick is a unique filmmaker: Only five films in almost forty years of career, prestigious stars who clamor to be part of his feature films, and an inimitable style. After his vision of war (The Thin Red Line) and his version of Pocahontas (The New World), Terrence Malick tackles family, and the difficult relationship between a too-strict father and his eldest son.
The first part will disorient more than one
The film begins with a tragedy then escapes to the edges of time, before returning to the story itself. Be warned: The film is once again meant to be contemplative and the plot unfolds subtly, through innuendos and unspoken words. Every shot is a feast for the eyes, a carefully composed painting. Everything is meticulously crafted, yet everything seems so natural and simple. Terrence Malick’s true strength, beyond his ability to tell a story with few words, is his mastery of imagery, his sense of aesthetics, and his love for nature.
Strong performances by actors
The actors’ talent also deserves praise. Brad Pitt is masterful as the overly strict father, with a performance full of introspection. The man seems completely tied in knots, and even when he bursts out at times, he remains full of restraint. Hunter McCracken, who plays Brad Pitt’s eldest son, is also prodigious. He overflows with unease and doesn’t know how to express it; his gaze is intensely captivating.
A few disappointments
In the final version of “The Tree of Life,” Sean Penn mostly serves as background. This is all the more regrettable when we know the original cut of the film was over three hours long, and the hour that was cut mainly focused on his role. It might have been preferable to shorten the “creation of the world” segment in favor of more Sean Penn…
The Tree of Life is a magnificent film, carried by talented actors. You have to get through the first rather elusive half-hour, even for a Terrence Malick film.
Trailer
