Review of Days of Heaven (1978) by Mitch P — 30 Oct 2007

Most reviews of this film focus on its unique beauty, its stunning "magic hour" visuals and its intense, poetic meditation on the essence of time and place. And rightly so, perhaps: Malick, Almendros, and Wexler created what is perhaps the most gorgeous color film ever made. But in all the focus on the technical beauty of "Days of Heaven," reviewers often miss the lyrical wonder of what Malick is actually saying with his poetic, inimitable visuals. The agrarian nostalgia of the film is so much more than a conduit for Malick to frame beautiful images of wheat, rolling plains, and golden skies. It is a reflection of Malick's very real philosophical concerns regarding technology, human relationships, and the very meaning of our lives. Malick doesn't pound you over the head with trite metaphors or easy symbolism. So much of this film is its non-narrative details and "Days of Heaven" rewards you with repeated viewings. That is, if the beautiful images do not knock you unconcious first.

This film is a masterpiece of American cinema that is the artistic equal of anything else made by the New Hollywood auteurs of the 1970s. The new Criterion print that was released in October 2007 is a revelation. Simply put, this is one of my favorite films ever.