Terrence Malick's follow up to "The Tree of Life" will split opinion even more than that extremely divisive film did. As usual I mentally ticked off the experience of watching one of his films on the big screen...
Elegiac classic music, often Wagner - check.
Camera drifting across astonishing vistas of water, fields and skies - check.
Whispered poetic narration, often confusing, sometimes in another language - check.
Beautiful people looking sad, walking away from the camera, often in a sunset glow - check.
Also various annoyed audience members struggling with all of the above wondering where the story is. Check.
It's more Malicky than ever, almost to the point of parody if it weren't so masterfully executed - but personally I found it much less satisfying than "The New World" or "The Thin Red Line", possibly because a lot of the time is spent in unremarkable streets of suburban Oklahoma, and partly because it's a film very much about love in all its forms (romantic, parental, spiritual) and that depends far more on character and situation, something that Malick isn't particularly interested in.
Olga Kurylenko (best known for being the "Quantum of Solace" Bond girl) is the lead, and she is absolutely radiant and gives a nuanced, contradictory and heartfelt performance without very much to do. There's a star performance coming from her some time soon for sure. Ben Affleck is very miscast as the man who doesn't know what he wants - rather than supplying gravitas and complexity he just looks dumbfounded and disengaged for most of the film. Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem have some good moments in supporting roles, hers stripped back to essentially one sequence.
It's beautiful, but has no time for happy endings, and takes a long time getting there. If you loved "The Tree of Life" you probably don't need anyone's advice about whether to watch this. If you hated "The Tree of Life" this really isn't going to be the film to change your mind about the idiosyncratic and uncompromising talents of Terrence Malick.
A wonderful film. Not because I feel I have any particularly deep understanding of it (if there is anything to "get,") but simply because the two hours I spent in the theater were incredibly enjoyable and refreshing. I really love the way music and movement (of people and of the camera) and narration work together in his recent films to create a sort of feature-length film "symphony" or "dance" (yes, I realize that sounds hopelessly pretentious, but...)
I totally understand people who dislike/hate Malick's recent output, but I for one am really glad he's still working and making this kind of movie.
Flaws and all, I still found it an intoxicating, beautiful and heartfelt work. Malick has been my favorite director for quite some time and even though this is easily his worst film to date, It still worked for me.
I always go into Malick films wishing and hoping to love them and more often than not, I always end up feeling frustrated and disappointed.
I am really happy for those that can watch this and be blown away by it, I definitely saw instances that moved me and begged to be extended.
One part of me thinks this is just 100 minutes of a girl twirling around in open air... The other part of me knows that there is something much deeper and profound there. I just don't care enough to delve further into it.
I'm a big fan and I've written a substantial amount about his films... and I found this really disappointing. I can see a growing 'thesis' in his films, but he has never done intimacy well, in addition to which this is his weakest portrayal of women (and none of them are particularly strong). Tree of Life had scenes of tremendous authenticity (childhood and conflict); by contrast, I found little authentic here. It's an essay more than a film.
Affleck did a fine job portraying a guarded man, supposedly based on Malick himself, who was going through a taxing relationship. The real story, however, is about Olga Kurylenko's portrayal of Marina, one that is among the best, if not the best, characters that Malick has ever created. From her, a look can tell a story, a rare quality to possess, and one that Malick uses to his full advantage.... More at http://kosmofilm.com/kosmo-film-blog/2013/6/11/to-the-wonder-2012
I don't have the right to comment on this movie.. But out of the directors other pieces, this is the weakest. New World and Tree of life was really something, especially the first one is underrated, and the second one is a masterpiece. But I think Malick shot himself in the foot with this one. U can shot me for say it.
What I found out by watching this movie is that Ben Affleck is losing his hair.
It's incredible how a director can have such a powerful and visceral movie so many years into a nearly perfect career. Kurylenko is fantastic and pretty much the only one acting in the movie. Her character is a bit too much to be believed entirely, but she really went for it. Every shot is perfect... it looks like Malick can move the camera with his mind.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 15
dombrewer
Terrence Malick's follow up to "The Tree of Life" will split opinion even more than that extremely divisive film did. As usual I mentally ticked off the experience of watching one of his films on the big screen...Elegiac classic music, often Wagner - check.
Camera drifting across astonishing vistas of water, fields and skies - check.
Whispered poetic narration, often confusing, sometimes in another language - check.
Beautiful people looking sad, walking away from the camera, often in a sunset glow - check.
Also various annoyed audience members struggling with all of the above wondering where the story is. Check.
It's more Malicky than ever, almost to the point of parody if it weren't so masterfully executed - but personally I found it much less satisfying than "The New World" or "The Thin Red Line", possibly because a lot of the time is spent in unremarkable streets of suburban Oklahoma, and partly because it's a film very much about love in all its forms (romantic, parental, spiritual) and that depends far more on character and situation, something that Malick isn't particularly interested in.
Olga Kurylenko (best known for being the "Quantum of Solace" Bond girl) is the lead, and she is absolutely radiant and gives a nuanced, contradictory and heartfelt performance without very much to do. There's a star performance coming from her some time soon for sure. Ben Affleck is very miscast as the man who doesn't know what he wants - rather than supplying gravitas and complexity he just looks dumbfounded and disengaged for most of the film. Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem have some good moments in supporting roles, hers stripped back to essentially one sequence.
It's beautiful, but has no time for happy endings, and takes a long time getting there. If you loved "The Tree of Life" you probably don't need anyone's advice about whether to watch this. If you hated "The Tree of Life" this really isn't going to be the film to change your mind about the idiosyncratic and uncompromising talents of Terrence Malick.
Timec
A wonderful film. Not because I feel I have any particularly deep understanding of it (if there is anything to "get,") but simply because the two hours I spent in the theater were incredibly enjoyable and refreshing. I really love the way music and movement (of people and of the camera) and narration work together in his recent films to create a sort of feature-length film "symphony" or "dance" (yes, I realize that sounds hopelessly pretentious, but...)I totally understand people who dislike/hate Malick's recent output, but I for one am really glad he's still working and making this kind of movie.
Joelston
Flaws and all, I still found it an intoxicating, beautiful and heartfelt work. Malick has been my favorite director for quite some time and even though this is easily his worst film to date, It still worked for me.sammysin
I always go into Malick films wishing and hoping to love them and more often than not, I always end up feeling frustrated and disappointed.I am really happy for those that can watch this and be blown away by it, I definitely saw instances that moved me and begged to be extended.
One part of me thinks this is just 100 minutes of a girl twirling around in open air... The other part of me knows that there is something much deeper and profound there. I just don't care enough to delve further into it.
bensobeleone
I'm a big fan and I've written a substantial amount about his films... and I found this really disappointing. I can see a growing 'thesis' in his films, but he has never done intimacy well, in addition to which this is his weakest portrayal of women (and none of them are particularly strong). Tree of Life had scenes of tremendous authenticity (childhood and conflict); by contrast, I found little authentic here. It's an essay more than a film.prinsesanastasia
I did not like it at all, it felt incredibly forced, desperately trying to be something it wasn't at all. The acting was also truly very annoyingkzer_za
Malick has done better, and the priest's subplot is a lot more interesting than the love triangles...still worth watching.Kosmo Film
Affleck did a fine job portraying a guarded man, supposedly based on Malick himself, who was going through a taxing relationship. The real story, however, is about Olga Kurylenko's portrayal of Marina, one that is among the best, if not the best, characters that Malick has ever created. From her, a look can tell a story, a rare quality to possess, and one that Malick uses to his full advantage.... More at http://kosmofilm.com/kosmo-film-blog/2013/6/11/to-the-wonder-2012Follow us at http://twitter.com/KosmoFilm
Realenur
I don't have the right to comment on this movie.. But out of the directors other pieces, this is the weakest. New World and Tree of life was really something, especially the first one is underrated, and the second one is a masterpiece. But I think Malick shot himself in the foot with this one. U can shot me for say it.What I found out by watching this movie is that Ben Affleck is losing his hair.
stexdo
It's incredible how a director can have such a powerful and visceral movie so many years into a nearly perfect career. Kurylenko is fantastic and pretty much the only one acting in the movie. Her character is a bit too much to be believed entirely, but she really went for it. Every shot is perfect... it looks like Malick can move the camera with his mind.Torgo
Delivers its own parody (if you like the film or not).audiopile
Watching this felt like I gained two hours of life, only to feel like I wasted four when it was over. Didn't like this one by Malick. Maybe next time.Gershwin
What an ignorant comment. Total waste of time.Dekisha
What a piece of sh*t ... Total waste of time.Skyscore
http://www.afisha.ru/movie/206203/review/489078/