Review of To the Wonder (2013) by Orlando O — 18 Aug 2013

Vague to the point of extreme irritation. I have given it a star for the visuals, which are admittedly beautiful, but once you start to feel like you've been watching a glossy advert for over half an hour the film becomes ever more maddening.

Be warned: It keeps on in this vein for the duration. When the synopsis on a dvd box can convey more plot than the entire film itself you know something is seriously wrong. Ben Affleck walks around silently a lot with a face like a slapped arse; Olga Kurylenko dances with a chicken and Rachel McAdams stands in a field looking at buffalo.

I'm speaking very lightly of the film, but I believe it would be pompous and phony to talk of it with any sort of deference. Almost NOTHING is explained properly. Almost NOTHING actually happens. You are left with no real idea how various characters know each other and what they are motivated by or even what they are doing.

It is bordering on the criminal just how little Affleck and fellow Oscar winner Javier Bardem have their respective abilities tested in this. I genuinely believe any non-actors could have appeared in their place and have done just as good a job, seeing how unnecessary the ability to act was for the film.

I write this as someone who despite being slightly frustrated by The Tree of Life did actually enjoy it. With To the Wonder, my patience with Malick has run dry.