Review of Days of Heaven (1978) by Sean D — 07 Sep 2011

With Terrence Malickâ(TM)s second film, Days of Heaven, Malick really begins to find his form. You see the elements of a director really coming into his own. Like The Thin Red Line, it is hard to call this a movie or a film, but, rather, visual poetry.

The film starts with Bill, played by Richard Gere, accidently killing his boss on the job at a factory after a fight. He takes his girlfriend and sister with him to the Texas Panhandle to work on a farm. There, the farmer, Billâ(TM)s girlfriend, and Bill become entangled in a complex love triangle.

The acting in the movie is incredible. Richard Gere is actually good for a change, which really surprised me. Brooke Adams as Abby, Billâ(TM)s girlfriend, is wonderful. The narrator and Billâ(TM)s sister, Linda, played by Linda Manz, is a little firecracker. The playwright/actor Sam Shepard, who plays the farmer, is quietly electric. My favourite character, though, is the scenery. Malick has a way of breathing life into the landscape. The way the farmerâ(TM)s house looms in the background gives it a life of its own.

The script is sparse, but effective. More is done with actions and music, a beautiful score by the legendary Ennio Morricone (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly), than words. Using music by the 19th Century composer Camille Saint-Saens, Morricone plays an integral part in creating the aura behind every shot and setting the mood for the movie.

The shots are also incredibly beautiful. The camerawork lets the scenery wash over you and enhances the visual experience. Malick really challenges his cinematographer and he definitely rose to the challenge.

Overall, this âfilmâ? is a beautiful, visual treat with some stellar performances, a great script, amazing cinematography, and an absolutely gorgeous score. If you liked The Thin Red Line, you will also like Days of Heaven.