Review of To the Wonder (2013) by Gregory G — 15 Aug 2013

After the lyrical transcendence of "The Tree of Life," Terrence Malick has turned to self-parody. Narrative and characterization are no longer relevant to his aims and he uses actors as cardboard cut outs framed against the vastness of nature with classical music on the soundtrack.

In this confounding, inert drama Ben Affleck and Olga Kurylenko are lovers in Paris who move to Oklahoma where nothing much happens. The characters ask pseudo-philosophical questions delivered in hushed tones via narration.

Ben Affleck appears almost mute and the women are repeatedly shown with arms stretched out towards the heavens in gyration. Despite the gorgeous visuals, by the superb cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, the images don't stay with you and there is an overall lack of emotional resonance.

As with Malick's "The New World," I struggled to stay awake. With Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem.