Another part of a video series from Wordonfire.org. Bishop Barron will be commenting on subjects from modern day culture. For more visit www.wordonfire.org/
Keep your mind open. You don't have to be religious to have faith and to know God. The more evil the world reveals itself to be, the harder it will be to deny God. I pray you know the truth, and that it sets you free. ❤🙏🏼
This is the first review/commentary of Fr. Barron's that I watched. Fr. Barron's commentary is very good. THE TREE OF LIFE is one of my favorite films of all time.
I have never been so spiritually moved than when I’ve seen this movie. No sermon has ever managed to affect me like this movie. It was two hours of prayer and philosophy. And the music and images are stunning. This film is a masterpiece.
Malick did something very wise in this film by acknowledging that spirituality and science aren't opposing forces, but complimentary ones. The Tree of Life is depicted as God's biological map of earth: the trunk is our common ancestry (single celled organisms) sequentially splitting into branches of different evolutionary paths, including homo sapiens. A beautiful answer to both a grieving mother asking God if this was part of His plan, and her eldest son's struggling for transcendence.
@xjaskix Oh come on! The title of the film is taken from the book of Genesis and the statement that opens the entire movie is taken from the book of Job. More to it, Malick is a passionate Christian. And you think it's about evolution?!
I have never found a more beautiful explanation this movie. Everything had meaning - I will think about this for a very long time. There is a reason for why I loved it so much and it brought so many emotions. Truly a masterpiece.
Fr. Barron, you have a talent for interpreting art. I enjoyed listening to your exegesis of this film the way I enjoyed listening to my literature professors in college. Thank you
Beautiful film and a wonderful insight from Fr. Barron. See also his review of A Serious Man - another fabulous film. After watching his review of that film, I went back and read the Book of Job. Though I am not a Christian, I feel there is so much truth in Job and in the Tree of Life.
Father Barron, you beat most film critics out there who failed to comprehend and analyze the film. Your analysis is clever, profound and meaningful. BRAVO!
Hmmm.... Even though the director is a devout Christian, the film's title is a verse from the book of Genesis, and the movie begins with a citation from the book of Job! It's just "philosophy and science."
While I am an atheist, and do not agree with the themes presented by this film, I have to say that this analysis is absolutely brilliant. Honest hats off to you father, I would love to see you review other films in the future, because you are amazing at it!
@painsmins How does your reading square with the fact that Malick is a devout Catholic? And if there is no final "answer," then how do you read the mystical ending of the movie?
I'd like to echo the comments of some others I have seen that, although I am not religious in the least, I found this to be a very thoughtful and insightful analysis of this wonderful film. Mr. Barron actually explained the "universe sequence" in a way that I hadn't considered before, but which makes perfect sense. Very appreciative!
@iloverumi I am not really a a practicing Christian, though I was reared Roman Catholic, lost my faith, then became evangelical protestant, then Eastern Orthodox, and am currently a practicing alcoholic. But I like this guy, too! I will keep listening to this guy, although what he says often convicts me. I hope you do the same.
I'm an atheist myself but this film is one of my all time favourites. It's crafted so well and the spectacle is so awe inspiring that I'm happy for Malick to put his faith up on screen and I absolutely loved this film. And this is a very nice analysis of it
@anthtan You know, it's kind of a film that you admire more than enjoy. I liked the theology of it, but it was kind of tedious in parts, to be honest with you.
Now if only they ever picked you to do an analytical commentary for a special edition release of the movie haha because I truly enjoyed your comments and you definitely know what you are talking about!
i think that's the great thing about this film. people can discuss for ever on what is it exactly about, but everybody will always see something different and it will mean something different for each person. i think the director achieved his goal, on making people think outside the box a little bit, and reminding people that there's so much more to life than what we limit ourselves to see now days. wether it's about religion, science, evolution, etc.....we all came to a personal conclusion.
Very nice commentary. The producer on The Tree of Life, Grant Hill, was also the producer on the film Cloud Atlas. Like The Tree of Life it examines humanity's place in the cosmos using a highly unorthodox cinematic style. It tells six different stories, spanning six different time periods, and tells them simultaneously using the same actors for each story. It was directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski (the directors of The Matrix movies) and Tom Tykwer (the German director of Run Lola Run) and based on a novel by David Mitchell. I'd like to listen Father Barron's commentary on that film.
skworq, this was just one interpretation of many available. I'm just glad that people are responding thoughtfully to this movie. I sat through a screening with people who texted throughout and booed at the end. I think your absolutely right about the dinosaur, though.
Father, I always love your movie reviews. Wonderful insights, and you bring up things that I completely missed even though I watch movies pretty thoroughly and always look for the Christian symbolism that can be gleaned. I also loved your review of "Fargo." I was a bit disappointed by "Tree of Life." I think Mallick's film "The Thin Red Line" was much better. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that one. (BTW, I'm becoming addicted to your RU-vid commentaries! Always excellent.)
You explained the movie very well sir! The Tree of Life is the fundamental meaning of Life, Faith and all its connections within the whole universe. Very Deep stuff, and with basic aspects of humanity too.
This was a beautiful interpretation. You mention that nature is the hard edge that is without compassion or mercy. And you site the example of the larger dinosaur overpowering the weaker. And i actually feel like that scene had a far more important purpose. The stronger did not eat or hurt the weaker in that scene. Because the weaker seemed to be dying. I can see malick saying a couple things about this- perhaps one is His mercy is not just in grace- but also nature. Or, that before man- there were both in balance- and when the first design was destroyed and rebuilt- man now held the duality within them as a choice. But what is very important in the whole ideology of this is to acknowledge that there *IS* mercy and compassion in nature. Because other species display this. In their nurturing of their young and kin, the fighting to protect their flocks and herds. It is a very dated view to assume that we are the only creatures that hold the "grace" of god. And i think maybe that was malicks brief insertion of that point.
Bishop Robert Barron I agree with this statement, although I don’t believe in the devil per se, I do believe that evil has a job to do, and is allowed with God’s permission.....just wish there was less of it in the world. 😞
Padre, Thanks for the good work. Keep it up. Your comments on the human demand for understanding suffering reminds me of the accounts in Luke where we see the difference between Zachariah's and Mary's response to the prophecy of the angel Gabriel. Zachariah does not understand and will not believe. Mary does not understand but concedes to the prophecy despite her lack of understanding how it could be possible. The path to holiness is in following God, not in understanding Him.
@rivasdre Oh I don't know, man, that strikes me as a tad facile! I mean, there are certainly Biblical citations that are generic enough to appeal to an agnostic with a conscience, but the book of Job?! I think it's impossible to make any sense of that book apart from a specific belief in God. Don't forget, too, that Mallick is a profoundly believing Christian.
@cinesimonj hat sequence was not preceded by "how did I get here" though. It was preceded by Jessica Chastain's "Lord, why? Where were You?" In fact, i'm not 100% sure but "how did I get there" I don't recall that line being in the film.
I'm cautious to accept any kind of film analysis in fear of it crushing the work's grand emotions into words, but this is a very poetic, clear explanation of the film. I think this is the kind of articulate open-minded man who should be a spokesman for Catholicism.
I agree with Fr. Barron when he says that Gods allows evil, but I think that we are the ones who choose or let evil to come into our lives with our own wrong actions, atitudes, and bad choices that we make. And Evil is not a good Master; it is a tyrant that drags you deeper and deeper into his traps. It is by the Grace of God that we can overcome, fight it or not surrender to it.
I watched the movie aday after my mothers funeral. I thought it was marvellous. The funny thing is three years later watched it again and it was different. Something about been in deep grief opened by eyes to it.
I'm NOT a "religious person" AT ALL, but I've ALWAYS been deeply, deeply and lastingly affected by ALL of Terrence Malick's movies ... including verrrry much "The Tree Of Life" that I saw for the first time last night and which I'll certainly be seeing AGAIN VERRRRY soon.... --John Pluntze (Ketchum, Idaho)
@amirhosseinfarhang So let me see if I have your position straight? The film is religious, but it's just against religion! If you think this movie is just a meditation on evolution, why do you think it commenced with a quotation from the book of Job?
Your insight on the opening segment being a re-enactment of Job was fascinating, but I'd disagree that the dinosaur scene was about nature. The one dinosaur does dominate the other, but being able to let him live, I think, demonstrated grace.
Enjoyed his opinion and he really knows his stuff. I don't find myself religious or atheist. For me when I hear someone say the word God I have to assume they're talking about something more then an individual.
Hey Barron, like many other I too think that your explanaition is very good, well understood and to the point. and like Dobersaurus I´d like to see the hour long explanation, is that ever gonna happen? But for now there is scene I cant rly figure out. It´s the scene at the end where Sean Penn is on the beach meeting his whole family - why is Sean the only one who aged in that scene?
@wordonfirevideo I think part of what makes the movie so great is it can be seen through religious and agnostic eyes. The Job quote does not denote - for me (because I'm Agnostic) - that Malick believes in story of Job specifically. It can simply be a narrative tool. I've used multiple Bible verses in some of my short stories because I've studied religion (I grew up Christian) & because it's an interesting device that is easily relatable to the masses.
Hi Bishop, have you watched Malick’s A Hidden Life about the St. Franz Jaggerstatter yet? I would love to hear your thoughts on it. I think it is the best Christian film I have ever seen.
I'd like to express my admiration for Fr. Barron's excellent reading of the film. A film which at its core, indeed, does capture the essense of the Christian philosophy (salvation and solace offered by a purposeful grand scheme). While as an agnost I understand unbelieving fans feel somewhat akward having to admit this, they really shouldn't. After all, some of the greatest works of art in Western civilization were inspired by Christianity.
My own mother and father were like Grace and Nature when I was growing up. I think they counterbalanced each other pretty well in my own experience of being a kid.
I suggest that you watch more of Fr. Barron's videos, or if possible his Catholicism Series. You will be surprised how the Church sees other religions. I was surprised myself how inclusive Christianity is.
i saw "the tree of life" a few weeks ago and while i'm still baffled by it. i also love the film. this is a fascinating interpretation about the film. i'm not sure i whether i agree or disagree but i like this interpretation. it's not trying to talk down to you but rather brings a broader perspective. i wonder what this guy thinks of malick's other films.
While Fr. Barron has difficulty appreciating films that aren't in line with his religious beliefs on their own terms (see his review of "A Serious Man" where he completely misses the point) this film is right in his wheelhouse and he hits a home run this time. Although I am certainly not a "believer" in any way, shape or form this is the most beautiful film I've seen in the last decade & Barron gets it right. He might want to stick to what he knows (faith) and steer clear of films about doubt.
One of the reviewers made a clever observation that it is not an accident that Jack O'Brien's name initializes to JOB. For another exposure to some of the same themes that the Priest mentions here from the movie, read Carlos Eire's exquisite memoir, Learning to Die in Miami.
@painsmins And I didnt mean for it to sound like an attack when I said you were mistaken. I just want you to be able to read the film the way it is. It's pretty big.
I'm atheist, and although we disagree on things I love hearing your opinions on films and to hear some comments and analysis from a christian perspective, it's good to hear insightful remarks from an individual such as yourself. Personally I don't see the Tree of Life as a religious film per se, rather a spiritual film as the movie explores that which is imbedded in every human, regardless of creed. I'd like to hear you talk about this film more and maybe some comments on 2001: A Space Odyssey.
@rivasdre The Coen Brothers might not be Christian, but they are certainly interested in spiritual themes and the things of God. And friend, I'm not telling you that you're incapable of enjoying a film like Tree of Life, but I think it's disingenuous of you to say that you don't see the religious themes in it.
@skworq the "nature" referred to by the movie is slightly different from your understanding of natural "processes" IMO. Malick's film isn't talking about the natural world when it referred to "nature." Nor does the film laud Grace over Nature. It simply states that they "always....wrestle inside me."
@JordanJC92 I think it can be interpreted either way. Malick is a devoutly religious person but he doesn't wish to lecture his beliefs to his audience but rather allow them to interpret it their own way so that way, he gets to express his religiosity without alienating people who don't share his faith.
I agree with you. I am not sure I would word it as "unnatural", because there are people like that, perhaps I'd call his emotional state/development unhealthy or incomplete, but not unnatural. On average, normal/healthy human adult behavior is more balanced. We might choose different words, but I think we are talking about the same thing.
@wordonfirevideo I think this is a quite reasonable review. Is it leaning toward a certain interpretation? Well, of course. Isn't the entire movie a rumination on grace and faith, a question as to what it means and whether it should even exist? Of course, there can be no pure conclusion on which we'd all agree because that is the nature of faith, existing beyond the easily defined. If anything, a conversation about what this means could go back and forth forever. It is a poem... about grace.
@majorhoop According to an interview with Brad Pitt (who is an agnostic), Malick is indeed a religious man. Martin Sheen was quoted in saying Malick restored *his* faith in God when they worked together on "Badlands".
I don't understand why Terrence Malick would insert a quote from the Book of Job and put it at the beginning of the movie. Could anyone care to explain? D:
@skworq I don't understand how you can ignore the opening. The movie is given a religious frame by the director. To ignore that is to assert a agenda different from his.
This commentary echoes my thoughts. Malic's movies are heavy loaded with symbolism and he lets his images speak. In almost all his movies, the characters, move towards the sun or any form of light (symbolizing God) and his shots are slow paced giving a surreal and transcendental feeling. One question. Does his panentheistic views on the cosmos in tune with the christian idea of God and Cosmos?
@adstanra I would like to know how you explain the validity of love or any other human emotion or aspiration, when it can all be chalked up to the random and yet inevitable. Like, the universe (or multiverse) is quantumly (I made up this adverb, but you can figure it out) arrranged so that all that happens is determined by subatomic realities beyond our conception and control, but there is (somehow) also such a thing as freedom of thought and will. Inquiring minds want to know.
