Review of The Tree of Life (2011) by Elina J — 25 Mar 2013

The Tree of Life is not a film for an average moviegoer looking for mindless entertainment but rather someone looking for a deep and emotional experience. Most film enthusiasts have eagerly anticipated visionary director Terrence Malick's newest release.

This is Malick's 5th feature film in a nearly 40 year career. Why? Simply because he is a perfectionist and every shot down to the tiniest detail has to be perfect to satisfy him. Though The Tree of Life has had generally positive reviews some have been mixed.

Many critics and moviegoers have complained about the movie being to complex for the audience to understand but for me it was the complexity that made the film stand out. The film follows the life of Jack a young boy growing up in midwestern 1950's Waco,Texas.

The story shows him grow up through his innocent childhood to his more complex adult life and how he was corrupted along the way by the influences along the way. His home is shared with two younger brothers a kind and loving mother played brilliantly by Jessica Chastain (who represents the way of grace) and his father played by Brad Pitt is stern and hypocritical (he represents the way of nature).

Jack represents humanity and his parents both have very different influences on him some good some bad. The film also shows nature clips that depict the origins of the universe and the beginning of life on earth.

These nature clips also depict how man's abuse led the world to corruption. Jack's older self is played by Sean Penn as an architect. He gets the news his brother died in the military and becomes increasingly depressed.

Jack goes on a mental odyssey examining his life through vivid flashbacks finding the roots of his troubles. The film gives the messages of a purposeful existence with a divine creator and shows that we have to let go of the past and progress into the future.

All in all The Tree of Life can be added to the pantheon of greatest films ever made and if you go into this with an open mind and patience you'll be deeply rewarded with a rare emotional experience.