Review of Days of Heaven (1978) by Shane R — 21 Aug 2008
Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" is a rhythmic poem set among the flowing wheat fields of the nation's heartland, backlit by the waning sun during the period of the day known only as "magic hour"; where the sun recedes just enough to bathe everything in golden light.
The camera floats, always watchful, never condescending, but fascinated by these human beings destined to fail. The film becomes enraptured by human fallibility; our innate predispositions towards the search for an easy existence.
Cinematographically, there may not be a better picture. The photography by Nestor Almendros (with assistance from Haskell Wexler) does not astound simply because of its aesthetic elegance. No, it mesmerizes because it does what great art should do- evoke the tangibility of a specific time through the artificiality of the moving image.
This review of Days of Heaven (1978) was written by Shane R on 21 Aug 2008.
Days of Heaven has generally received very positive reviews.
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