Review of The Tree of Life (2011) by Eric S — 27 Oct 2012

This is not a film in the usual sense. It's an art house experiment in a newly defined genre, with it's central theme seemingly too large for it to encompass. While I enjoyed moments of Terrence Malick's dual narrative, the documentary of the beginning of life on earth and the voyeur esc following of the life of a 1950s boy and his strained relationship with his father, it often felt lost in itself.

I found myself frustrated and impatient while watching, wanting to almost get up and take a break during it's 128 minute duration (which I surprised to find it wasn't over three hours as it felt like an eternity).

However, I was deeply engrossed in Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain, and found that film actually entertaining (with a certain understanding in mind), so that says something about The Tree of Life and it's crawling pace.

It just doesn't work the whole way through. The last several chapters (I hesitate to say this film was split into three acts) were nearly unbearable to sit through--it simply did not make me care.

I was too frustrated with what was happening onscreen with the characters too even care what the outcome would be; when the ending finally rescued my bloodshot attention span, I was given something beautiful to contemplate, yet another frustrating piece in a frustrating movie.

If you love utilizing your Blu Ray to it's fullest potentials, The Tree of Life will be a feast for your eyes. The opening moments are spectacular in their own standings, and I often found myself wishing that that film had been made instead.

The narrative of the boy, his father, mother, and brothers is sure to upset you, but as for my understanding of war scarred soldiers returning to a civilian life, and the strained relationships they had with their sons, I can see how this film could be immensely healing in it's entirety.

I will admit I teared up several times, felt pained, hurt--this is a very moving film, but the narrative simply betrays itself about a third of the way through. I don't know. I urge you to brave enough to watch it, and hope you get more out of it than I did.

Boy, but did it look great on my TV...