MJ5K's Review

Summary - Perfect 5.0

Guide us…to the end of time.

Visual mastermind and mytery man Terrence Malick makes a triumphant return to the director’s chair with The Tree of Life, and an epic-tone visual poem about the creation of the earth, mankind, nature vs. nurture, the relationship between father and son, the loss of innocence, and how we wander through life.

The film follows three main story lines: One involves the creation of the earth and the evolution of mankind. The other (our main story) is about a family growing up in 1950’s Texas, with a stern father (Brad Pitt) who pushes his three boys to succeed as he is dissapointed with his own underachievement. The third story revolves around the oldest of the boys (played, as an adult, by Sean Penn) as he tries to find his way through life, come to terms with his brother’s death, and mend his relationship with his father.

With little dialogue, The Tree of Life is a story told through many visuals, lots of symbolism, and narrations by actor Pitt, Penn, Hunter McCracken (the oldest as a child), and Jessica Chastain (the mother of the boys). Sean Penn actually only has about three or so lines of real dialogue, he mostly serves as narrator.

Visually, the film is (mostly) stunning. I say mostly mainly because of a scene involving dinosaurs (don’t ask). The graphics on the dinosarus, well, they’re not exactly Jurassic Park level. Although that is understandable as the film did not have a blockbuster budget. Besides, the other visuals (the creation of the earth, the beautiful scenery, etc) are absolutely amazing and outshine anything that is remotely bad.

The acting is excellent. Brad Pitt delivers one of the best performances of his career as the father of the three boys. You feel the intensity dwelled in him and the pain he feels for not being able to truely connect with his sons or give them the real guidance they need. Jessica Chastain also shines as the mother. She is sweat and endearing as she and the boys have something of a “Wendy and the Lost Boys” relationship. Though without much dialogue, Sean Penn acts well through his many expressions and movements. Many of the adult actors are outdone, however, by newcomer Hunter McCracken.

Visually stunning, well acted, and brilliantly written, The Tree of Life is one many should see. It won’t be for everyone, but I still have faith that it will garner a best picture nomination and a best director nomination for Malick. In a summer filled with many duds, The Tree of Life is a cinematic triumph.

Acting - Perfect 5.0

Film - Perfect 5.0

Edge - Risqué 1.9

Reality - Natural 1.0

2 Comments

• Wick Feb 25, 2012 11:24AM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  “If you have chronic art-film-aversion tendencies, then you’ll need a strong stomach.” Love it. Very well said and a welcome counterpoint to the other reviews.

• Wick Jul 23, 2011 1:03AM

  Regarding MJ5K’s Review
  MJ5K is back in the house, laying a solid Perfect on The Tree of Life.

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