Review of The New World (2005) by Elliott F — 19 Aug 2010

A completely enchanting film, in the truest sense of the word: the beautiful, lush cinematography merges with the sweeping score and sounds of nature in an utterly gorgeous symphony of visual poetry. Malick, who is a visual director through and through, captures most of the plot and character development through images (and what beautiful images they are!), and most dialogue is through voice-overs recited as monologues from Pocahontas, John Smith, and John Rolfe. We see things happening on screen, and their monologues (journal entries for Smith and Rolfe, a sort of prayer for Pocahontas) tell us what is happening. While it's not 100% historically accurate, as a film it works brilliantly, and any inaccuracies are easily forgiven. The performances almost take a backseat to the camera-work, music, and directing, but they are all to be applauded, including an utterly luminous breakout performance from Q'Orianka Kilcher, as the New World Princess herself, Pocahontas. Like all of Malick's films (it is a small canon--this was his first film since 1998's The Thin Red Line, and that was his first since 1978's Days of Heaven), it's a love-it-or-hate-it one, and this person adored it.

NOTE: The version of The New World that I viewed was the original theatrical release which was just over two hours. I intend to watch the extended director's cut as soon as possible, which is just under three hours.