The Tree of Life (2011)
Emotionally charged visual storytelling for the soul searchers.
Presentation:
Terrence Malik gives us his existential masterpiece. The film is realistically presented with Lubezkis raw handheld camera work. Something about handheld feels so much more realistic. Most people will film arguments on closeups and tripods, but Malik presents it with dynamic ultrawides, allowing both debators to be relevant simultaneously. I'd argue it's even more immersive. Handheld is so just so powerfully utilized in this film. Closeups feel intimate and ultrawide angles are breathtaking. Pitt's character is understandable and nuanced while Chastain provides a consoling voice.
Conclusion:
Malik's work is often hit or miss. This is probably his most profound piece, though i think he has been surpassed by films like You Won't Be Alone, which may not have as much visual intrigue but capture the essence of what this film attempts to get at. It's a truly beautiful piece that should speak to anyone with a less than perfect household. But for those that do a little less soul searching, this might just be a bore. Itβs beautiful not only in visuals, but without a stronger story itβs feels a bit documentary in an empty way. Unfortunately, this film won't convert such audiences and is meant for an already existential mind.
Sort by
- action 55
- adventure 30
- animation 5
- biographical 23
- chinese 7
- comedy 30
- coming of age 12
- crime 61
- culinary 3
- detective 12
- documentary 6
- drama 168
- driving 6
- experimental 14
- fantasy 20
- french 10
- heist 4
- historical 12
- horror 45
- japanese 5
- korean 10
- lgb 3
- music 6
- mystery 47
- norwegian 1
- psychological 16
- romance 31
- satire 7
- sci-fi 31
- spanish 4
- sports 5
- superhero 2
- suspense 15
- swedish 1
- thai 1
- thriller 79
- war 11
- western 6
- zombie 3
- πΆ 2
- πΆπΆ 23
- πΆπΆπΆ 86
- πΆπΆπΆπΆ 136
- πΆπΆπΆπΆπΆ 49
Nothing quite pulls you in like disaster in space.