Review of The Tree of Life (2011) by Peter F — 26 May 2016

Terence Malick's hugely ambitious film is a visual feast in every sense of the world. Tree of Life's towering imagery and Kubrick-ian scope are instantly evident as to why it had such a long editing process (about three years).

As expected from Malick, every shot in the movie rings the senses, whether they involve something as ordinary as 50s family life, or as otherworldly as the creation of time itself. Tree of Life is a movie experience like none other, but it unfortunately is not seamless.

Viewers are not likely to fully sympathize with the characters in the movie, due to its fractured narrative. Furthermore, its ending lacks the emotional resonance for this to be considered an utmost classic.

So Tree of Life stands as a flawed masterpiece, but undoubtedly a masterpiece as well.