Review of Days of Heaven (1978) by Juan R — 01 Aug 2008
Even if it's a common love story, it's the ultimate of love stories. It's pacing is slow and meditative, yet the intentions are always intact and never melodramatic. The story feels true and hasn't aged because it deals with issues that are as resonant in the modern age as well.
What's interesting is, in terms of structure, the whole film is composed of many mini scenes which don't last more than 20 seconds. Shot mostly at that famous time zone called "magic hour", it is visually arresting.
The voice overs bothered me at parts, especially when the film is almost silent, but it is told carefully in the eyes of a protagonist who remembers the past; a forgiving point of view with the intent of representing a specific time frame.
Watching a Terrence Malick is a delight because it literally feels like reading those great 19th century naturalist American poets. Even if his films are few and far between, Days of Heaven surely paved the way for modern cinematographers like Tim Orr and Robert Elswit.
This review of Days of Heaven (1978) was written by Juan R on 01 Aug 2008.
Days of Heaven has generally received very positive reviews.
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