The Tree Of Life [2011]

Patience. That’s what “The Tree Of Life” requires. Patience, and plenty of it. I was more than patient, and even more willing to accept the fact that this is is supposed to be a work of art, rather than a “film”, but I’m sorry to say that I was terribly disappointed by the end result. I would never dismiss the many beautiful passages, as they clearly convey the conflicting emotions of childhood, growing up, and the loss of innocence. One can admire director Terrence Malick’s vision, but even a talented artist has to be judged on results, not ambitions. I couldn’t relate the Big Bang, or the creation of life if you will, with the life of a family in 1950 Texas. The many shots of a volcano erupting, flowing water, and even dinosaurs are beautiful, but don’t belong in this movie. Still, I was willing to forgive those “artistic” moments, if only the present day scenes featuring Sean Penn, who appears very briefly as one of Brad Pitt’s sons were effective. Alas, they weren’t. I’m not sure what we were supposed to feel, but I felt a strong disconnection from his silent character. Ok I’m drifting. The facts: “The Tree Of Life” has many wonderful parts, but falls flat on the emotional side. It’s a simple story for sure, but only on the surface, as we witness the emotional journey of a young boy from childhood to youth. This involves moments of innocence, discovery, curiosity, pain and even grief, all of which are cleverly portrayed. His father (an exceptional Brad Pitt) raises him and his brothers with a fierce discipline. For tenderness, our boy turns to his mother, played with conviction by Jessica Chastain. The result is emotional fireworks, but sadly, most of these moments are easily forgotten, diluted even, by Malick’s attempt to create something similar to Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”. We get many confusing scenes instead, and a shitload of unanswered questions.

I know that many critics are already praising “The Tree Of Life”, and I hate to be the one who has to dismiss such an ambitious movie, but I’m afraid there is no other alternative. I really wanted to love this one, but I just couldn’t. Some might find it quite moving, and as a family drama, I still encourage you to check it out, but you must know that you might or might not respond to the movie as a whole. Only then you will know exactly how I felt about it.

Rating: 2.5/4