I consciously passed on going to see The Tree of Life as I knew that it was an ‘art’ film. A colleague of mine urged me to see it as, while he can’t say he enjoyed it, he was interested in my take on it as he was still thinking about it days later. I think that is as good a description as any for the movie.
The Tree of Life is a highly abstract movie and like viewing any work of abstract art, how one describes it says more about the viewer than what the film may or may not be trying to say. Let me say that Terrance Malik’s creation is an incredibly beautiful visual and auditory odyssey (it even says in the beginning credits that it is best viewed at high volume). If you are looking for a coherent storyline then you will be disappointed. What you can take from the montage of images is that this is the story of Jack (played in adulthood by Sean Penn), a troubled man in the modern world trying to come to grips with his childhood and troubled relationship with his authoritarian father (played by Brad Pitt). The story is non-linear and is more a series of images and feelings set to music and poetry. It captures moments rather than a story from growing up in Waco Texas in the 1950’s.
The movie opens with news of the death of Jack’s younger brother (we assume it’s from Vietnam, but it never explicitly says so). For the first 30 minutes of the movie we live the moments of a grieving mother and a father full of regret. The movie then takes a unique turn and for the next 30 minutes gives us a visual opera of the birth of creation. This is the most abstract part of the movie, but at the same time the most riveting. The imagery of the birth of creation, to the creation of the earth, to the arrival of life is some of the most incredible cinematic artistry I have ever seen. The power of the images are only heightened by an incredible operatic movie score. Much like an abstract painting, you are not always sure what you are looking at, but you know when it touches and moves you. Words are not always effective (and sometimes a hinderance) in trying to describe it. It must be experienced to appreciate it (or dismiss it).
The images are filled not only with the fire and power of creation, but also the rhythms of life. The movie records rhythm from the very core of the universe to the smallest creature that begins to evolve on Earth. The camera follows the formation of life as it it struggles to leave it’s primordial ooze and survive on land. While this unfolds following our belief in evolution, there is definitely a feeling of God or something majestic in the grand design of it all. I couldn’t avert my eyes during the odyssey.
As the creation montage ends and one is still reeling from what they just saw we witness the birth of Jack. We feel the insignificance of his birth after witnessing the grand design, but we realize his part in the tapestry of life and he fits seamlessly into the rhythm of existence.
The next part of the movie doesn’t really tell a story per se, rather it paints a portrait of feelings and memories. There is no individual significance to each of the moments portrayed, but as the film progresses you begin to see the pattern in the tapestry of his life and there is a certain majesty to it’s commonness (How’s that for an assessment of a piece of art? Pretentious and contradictory). There is nothing extraordinary about Jack’s life. It was probably the experience of countless others from the time period, but it fit perfectly into life’s grand design.
As the movie draws to it’s final chapter all the moments and people of Jack’s life are drawn together and we share with Jack his feelings of forgiveness, love, and release. These moments are as abstract as the creation of the universe, but treated with equal awe and wonderment.
It’s difficult to review a movie that does not necessarily have a traditional storyline. It’s hard to strike a balance where you will either sound like a pretentious bohemian poser or an unsophisticated dolt. The movie doesn’t easily lend itself to review. I will say that whether you like or dislike the film, Terrence Malik must be respected for his vision and artistry. Unlike some works of abstract art that is dismissed for it's banality, one can feel the power and force of this work. I’m not sure I can recommend it to anyone, but I have to admire and applaud the craftsmanship.
I rate this film **** (strictly for form, not enjoyment)
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