Review of Days of Heaven (1978) by Brandon U — 29 Jun 2008

When a film opts for muted naturalism in both its direction and performances, there sometimes arises a myth that such a film cannot move you. I defy anyone but the stone hearted not to be shaken to their core by "Days of Heaven," even for all its supposed simplicity.

In fact, it could even be argued that the down-to-earth tone is what makes this all the more memorable, as it hems closer to reality than any strained sentiment ever will. The narration, by young Linda Manz, is so eerily distant and believably plain-spoken as to sound like it was lifted from a documentary.

Of course, the term 'simplicity' might be a bit deceptive. Directed by the mercurial Terrence Malick -- only his second time behind the lens, after 1973's "Badlands" -- "Days of Heaven" moves through its plot in a nonlinear fashion, yet not necessarily in the timelines-be-damned manner we've grown accustomed to in a post-Pulp Fiction world.

Rather, it often seems as if every time we get close to a major revelation or plot point, the moment is downplayed, and we move on. No scene ever lingers past its story necessity and even the ending wisely strays from wrapping it all up in a big, tidy bow.

Instead, "Heaven" works as a mood piece, evocative and haunting in its portrait of the devastation of the desperate who, for a brief moment, graze alongside something resembling true happiness.

When it's all taken away, the last one standing doesn't weep for the past or what might have been...she just spends one brief second looking back before turning around and moving on, having been through enough cruel turnarounds to be neither sad for what's past nor hopeful for what may come.

And that's the part that will eventually gut you.