The Tree of Life - Movie Review 

The Tree of Life is one of the films that will be debated over for generations to come and many will get it and many won't. I totally get it, on a visual, narrative, philosophical and artistic level, it's one of the greatest films I will ever see

a common complaint I keep hearing about this movie, is that it didn't tell me what to think. that's sad

need advice, this is of course one of malicks films, so its bound to be confusing and deep. Should i watch this before i go see it just to get an overall feel? and sense of whats going on?

This is a stellar film. It's something that you either "get/feel/experience" or you don't. In Jimi's immortal words: "Are you experienced?" If you are, you'll dig it and get it--if you're not, well, you're not.

So will the movie leave a spiritual impression or can I just google astronomy and landscape photos?

When the dinosaur lets the other dinosaur live it represents the moment compassion came into the universe.

@Scardy Who says film has to have a narrative?

dont see it for the story this is a visual masterpiece the cinematography left me breathless

Christy Lemire is freakin B-E-A-utiful!

I think the lady in the middle gets what Malick is trying to do. I made a video essay on this very thing, Malick is posing questions not answers. It's like poetry. He is saying that life is unexplainable and like his movie life defies any message or convention or theme. The unknowability of life is why its such an interesting, profound, and frustrating experience being human.

I think this is one of those arty love-or-hate movies like 2001, The Fountain, or Synecdoche New York. Which means, I'll probably love it.

The point of putting the creation and universe sequences was to give perspective of how tinny our problems are in the grand scheme of things. Yes, just how tinny and insignificant are these reviews of Mr. Atchity and Mr. Duralde compared to a masterpiece like The Tree Of Life.

@aquapendulum Ooh Mamoru Oshii? I'll definitely check it out.

I think the part that Sean Penn' character is on the desert means the director's vision of afterlife. Maybe in Terrence Malick's point of view when we die we see ourselves when young and our best memories as well.

@near10 It wasn't his mom's clothes, it was a neighbour's. He sees them leaving the house and breaks in and goes through their things. It was showing his rebellious nature, and the fact that he was toeing the line to breaking laws that were set around him. He hid the clothes because he got scared of what he had done.

people criticizing the tree of life; I look at them and I feel bad. because, I can say with conviction that this film is the 2001: a space Odyssey of our times, a movie with such scope and ambition that it cannot be deconstructed by lesser mortals (including me). with time, I think this movie will be hailed as the best in cinema history. and then, a lot of these detractors are gonna look like Pauline Kael, with damning critique of 2001.

anyone wanna try to explain the part that the kid stole her mom's clothes and threw it in the river or the part that the mother was flying around???

I think the message was meant to end as a question, nature vs nurture?

The more you understand that Malick's goal is to create incredible images in order to force you to connect with his work on a personal level, the less his movies start to suck

Matt's reaction really reminds me of Elaine's reaction towards the movie 'The English Patient' in that Seinfeld episode lol.

Great to see some of the commenters are willing to actively discuss the qualities and flaws of the movie, without directly panning or adoring it. This was my number one movie from 2011, and I think it is a masterpiece. One of the most ambitious, mysterious, and artsy, but also one of the best movies, that I have ever seen. What’s really great about it, is that there are endless possibilities to “explain” it. It can’t be directly “explained”, but talked about in mature ways.

Great point made by the woman, how many films really have an effect on you? I can think of only a handful across my life, most of them among my favourite films. The fact that it makes people *think* and generates a lot of discussion is by itself a good thing.

i just didnt get the movie.....

I think, Matt, that what was inhibiting your perspective or understanding of the movie was that you had an expectation that you thought the film should follow...(I'm not saying that your opinion against it is not valid, but rather that upon second viewing perhaps seeing it with less of the constraints built from previous films would increase your viewing experience to, if not an enjoyable one, then a more connected one.)

After having watched this film, I seriously think it was practical joke by the director, to see how far movie critics would go to interpret meaning into something that was merely beautifully shot, but had no intended meaning. Critics talk about how this is about God, and there is a quote in the beginning of the film from Job. I think the director tried to play it off as if it is this grand meditation on the problem of evil, but honestly it is just pretentious in its lack of a focused narrative.

This is actually a valid discussion. With the intro, I was like, "oh no, these assholes r just going to call the film pretentious and what not", but it was very interesting. I think the one who understood the film the most was Christy. But all of their points of view are valid. I personally loved the film and completely agree with Christy's comment about not enforcing a message. The film is more about questioning the unknowability of the universe, and appreciating the beauty of it.

I thought it was very clear Sean Penn was the oldest brother lol

The whole purpose of this film is our importance in the grand scheme of life. Matt is an example of the linear movie plot line guys that walked out.

@moeezS Oh and if you have the chance to check out Angel's Egg, I'm all ears to hear a verdict. It's about as surreal and abstract as movies can possibly get.

I really liked how the beginning and end of the world showed that even though all this big stuff happens in the history of the universe, the most important thing are relationships.

@Zone2WaR I can't respect an opinion that contains the words "only a movie." Unless, of course, we're talking about the Exorcist.

The big bang was meant to juxtapose the trivial, beautiful things from Jack's childhood. I think the message of the movie is that life is worth living because seemingly trivial things in our lives that are beautiful.

@cromwellian13 I couldn't agree more. The subjectivity is such a beautiful approach to a film. Wanting to label every goal a director is attempting to achieve so boring. I'm excited when something leaves me feeling confused. This movie most definitely provided confusion. In that way, it attempts to answer difficult questions posed by mortals. Why must people die young? What am I doing in my field of work? The explanation is just that. A question.

@jordyvanbuel "If Malick had just focused on the story of the family and the inner struggle between the father and the oldest son, it would have been a far better movie." That would have been a different movie altogether, which Malick was clearly not interested in making. The film is not about a "father son story". The people in the film are merely representations of other ideas meant to fit in with the bigger theme of the film about nature, nurture and people fit in to that.

"It insist upon itself" -Peter Griffin (family guy) side note: I just watched Black Swan: was she crazy, or was it the performance that made her crazy? Who cares, watching Natalie Portman having as O was worth it :o)

They totally missed the boat on the dinosaur part. The message wasn't muddled. It shows that within all the destruction of nature, morality developed. A larger and stronger dinosaur felt sympathy for a smaller and weaker dinosaur, when it could have killed it. Gotta give it up for Christy though. She always has an open mind to people's opinions and has a really sharp eye for movies. Great critic. Can't say the same for Matt and Alonso...

Once I let myself sink into the movie it was not boring at all. The boys felt authenitc and there was just something about this film I enjoyed and I usually do not like pretentious films.

My dad grew up in the 50s and his dad never hit him. My dad did something bad (when he was a young) once and he was sitting in the car with my grandpa and he was scared he was going to hit him, my grandpa said "Have I ever hit you?". My grandpa was in no way a perfect man (he cheated on my grandpa who's the most wonderful woman in the world) but he was never even slightly abusive of my dad or any of his siblings. I'm not sure if my great grandpa was abusive though.

@MobiusCoin Yeah, but there's a difference between trying something new and trying something that you as a director only seem to love/care about/understand. I respect Malick's choices, but he could have made this movie so much better if he had graded down the philosophical part of this movie. Furthermore, he should have ended the movie with an answer, now I left the theater without caring about the ending.

I never heard of Christine or Malick (I had seen Thin Red line in theaters and Badlands on TV I think, but never knew who directed it) before seeing a review of Tree of life on TV with the new Ebert show. The review intrigued me, I thought she was cute and I enjoyed the movie. It was different. I've since watched all of Malick's movies and loved them all, except for To the Wonder, which was frustrating and felt rushed and thrown together quickly. I liked her after that, but this group of critics are very inconsistent. Giving this a 3? Really with all the crap formulamatic movies out there. This movie was ambitious and beautifully shot and well acted....even if you don't like it, give it a 6 for its merits. His movies are more like visual poems. Being a critic, you ought to know that. I could relate different parts of this to my own life. I saw a few fools walk out after 10-20 minutes. This is far better than some crap you guys give 8-10s to.

At least there is a lot to talk about with this movie. It is flawed and slow at times but it is beautifully shot and has many memorable scenes. Acting is terrific as well. This is not for impatient viewers, but is worth sticking with. I still don't know what it all means but I think that's good.

The trailer to "The Tree of Life" has to be one of the vaguest trailers I have seen in recent memory. I couldn’t tell, from the trailer, what the hell the film is about. If film producers want us to go see a film, the trailer to that film should be enticing and EASY to understand. We should not have to parse through esoteric symbolism, requiring a PhD in film, in order to get what is going on.

Hey, everyone has opinions. I loved most of it, but i understand how some hate it.

Also, I honestly don't blame the guy on the left for being confused. It was sloppy and confusing. It was a 2 hour movie told through mostly silence flashbacks. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just not clear story telling.

@lifehigh655 I am sure it wasn't clear even though some of the whispering sounded like a suicide. I personally think how the kid died is not important at all.

@aquapendulum I've seen Southland Tales, even read up on the graphic novel before seeing it in the cinema. I'm a big apologist of Richard Kelly, I knew it wouldn't live up to Donnie Darko. I liked certain ideas in it, but the hammy acting, inconsistent pacing, and confusing plot really let it down. And the "shot eye" of Sean William Scott at the end as a nod to Donnie Darko felt cheap. I haven't seen it since, though. The Box was much better, in comparison.

To me this was like finding someones old photo album in a Goodwill and thumbing through it. I see a lot of stuff in it -- snapshots - and memories of someone else..... then I throw it back on the pile of cheap and used stuff. I decide not to buy it. I dont spend four hours with it. This movie, is kind of like that. Only, when you experience it as a movie, you have to sit through it. There wasnt enough connections in here to hold it together for me.

15 minutes of creation symbolizes the time, it took until we came into existence....

So i bet you can imagine something far more epic and beautiful to share with everyone in the world who has access to a cinema or a computer? I didnt learn anything new, but more of a sense of what I am and in what I am. An awakening of consciousness if you like. I wouldn't have had that without watch that 2 hour film. The film is a gift for anyone open enough to receive it

@EvilFingers maybe because you're not shaun penn?

@SinisterSkyline I couldn't agree with you more mate! Especially the part: "don't listen to these pricks", that was well put!

The fat guy on the left obviusly didn't pay attention to the movie if he didn't even know which kid is the one that died. Yes dude, it did go over your head. This movie is a masterpiece.

If anybody is uncertain about seeing this film, watch the trailer. If it seems interesting watch this film in the theaters. It is one of those experiences that will not be forgotten and if you are both patient and want ot see a refreshingly original film, you will find great joy and wonder in the Tree of Life. I sincerely believe though that the people that walked out of this film had little patience and just love the usual crap from Hollywood. A.K.A Transformers.

Matt is spot on!

lol matt in the beginning when sean penn "thinks" something like "my brother was true... bla bla" they show first the main kid, and then on "brother" they show the blonde brad pitt look alike. i thought it was really clear who was who. the thing about the movie that i liked was that the kid who chose grace, the brother, died and the one who chose nature, the aggressive one, lived to become sean penn.

Was it the best film too since it was the only movie you watched in 2011.

The girl expresses how I feel

@unome40 Yeah, I know... that was the joke. The sarcasm was SO obvious that pointing it out was redundant... but I did it AND asked if you got it. And even though you started lecturing me on sarcasm you then went on to address the sarcastic points... Silly boy!

I give Matt huge props for being honest. You go, big guy!

I think the dinosaur didn't kill the dinosaur because he could only sense movement and the second one wasn't moving; at least, that's what I recall from reading Jurassic Park

Christy is absolutely right. This film wasn't made to provide answers. You find the answers in yourself. Everything is subjective. That's what I loved about this film. I got and identified with a lot of things in it and walked away thinking it was one of the best films I've ever seen.

@near10 it wasn't his mom's, he steped into another house.

Forget Ebert it could be any reviewer. The point was that ultimately, film is totally subjective. Battlefield Earth, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Troll 2 - somebody is going to like those films, so there'sno way to 'prove' they are bad.

Also, I don't think you can do a review of this movie justice without at least mentioning that is was booed by the audience at Cannes, which usually has very receptive & forgiving audiences.

Having not seen it, my immediate impression is of Ang Lee's Hulk movie, with his incredibly slow lichen on rocks montages. Or the even more pretentious The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky.

I love Matt's honesty! I bet a lot of critics felt the same way, but are too afraid to admit it.

I regard ToL as a masterpiece.

Regardless of how good or bad the movie is, you have to give them credit for using the beautiful "Moldau" by Smetana.

@neshannockfez That's exactly the issue. A planetarium is about the science and the learning not about the experience and natural majesty of the universe. Also... no, they don't. There's two OMNIMAX theatres in Toronto, which are like IMAX on steroids, and no, their footage does not compare.

I didn't love this movie but it kept my interest. The kid was very good (unlike the kid in Extremely Loud....). There were certain parts that made me feel uncomfortable but I think it was because it was done so well.

@riozziHouse Yeh but you don't have to watch a movie for 2 and a half hours to learn that.

my sweet angel faces, this is what we call a "high culture" film. it's like gourmet cheese; everyone knows that it's excellent, but sometimes the acquired taste turns people off. it is above popular culture and not everyone can be expected to "get it"

@klausweasley No one. I'm not saying it's good or bad, I'm just pointing out the obvious. Personally, I prefer narrative.

Unfortunately people forget movies are subjective. Even Roger Ebert insists there are some movies that couldn't possibly be good, which is a really dumb statement to make, because someone, somewhere genuinely likes Battlefield Earth.

mother father always you wrestle inside of me...Now where the hell is Benvereen!?!?!

@neshannockfez Then the Crucifxion of St. Peter is just "OLD DUDE BEING HANGED OUTSIDE DOWN". And as for the visuals, THERE is a big difference between a single still that a NASA has spent a month compositing and seeing the universe in motion. Not a big stargazer I guess. But this is truly unique, all other visualizations of space are shitty practical renders that doesn't come close toe capturing what the eye would actually see. Either that or they are simply stills, motion is key here.

@ArabMobster88 "The regular hollywood film mold would not have faciliated the idea that malick wanted to get across" and that idea was...? Because I found this film to be uneven and all over the place... then again, I fucking hated 2001... art for the sake of art is not cool in my book, it needs a CLEAR purpose. I really hate when people call something "art" just because is confusing and/or pretty to look at, to me, that's not enough.

I thought Jessica Chastain stole this movie, her performance was just flawless.

I gotta respect Terrence Malick for being so... mysterious...

@jordyvanbuel I feel like I've seen that movie before though. I feel like movies are too human centric. And yes, all literature, film, music, and art is an exploration of the human condition but ONCE in a while, it is nice to see a movie that minimizes our own ego and shows us the universe in an ethereal emotional way rather than a practical scientific way. There's something unique about this film that if nothing else is worth it just to see something new.

I'm with Christy... 9/10 for me

Your subtitles are wrong in a hilarious way

People who watch this movie should read up on the book of Job...I'm sure there's a reason why he would include one its most famous line. I think if this movie was made back in the day when biblical references were obvious to people, it would have been better understood. It's like listening to Mumford and Sons with their use of theological references in their lyrics...you need to know a little JOB to unlock what the director is saying, maybe.

I'm with Christy Lemire all the way. This is a very spiritual movie that you will either get and love or not.

Matt is the best critic on what the flick

I think a measure of a critic's worth is his ability to pan a Malick film without using the words PRETENTIOUS, PLOTLESS or INCOHERENT. People often use the word "pretentious" as a substitute for I DIDN'T GET IT AT ONCE SO I'M NOT GONNA TRY TO AND JUST DISMISS IT BY CALLING IT PRETENTIOUS. Malick films often need a few days to digest before one makes a proper judgement call on it. To dismiss it outright reeks of ignorance and stupidity.

For me this movie falls in the same category of films as The Fountain, Southland Tales, and the Fall. All seem like thinking movies, but fall short one way or another. In fact the ideas in these movies are kind of naive and simple. Although visually they're all great to look at. And I'm saying this as a Terrence Malick fan.

Just because we don't like this particular movie doesn't mean we can't recognise beauty or be moved. I've seen plenty of movies that will stick with me until the day I die and this movie isn't one of them. It's just a string of pretty images that go with any kind of pseudo-philosophical explanation the audience wishes to provide. Its a one size fits all work of "art" and I do not feel the need to partake. You can enjoy it however much you like, but don't humble brag about "being able to get it".

Totally agree with you Matt that this movie asks too much of itself. If Malick had just focused on the story of the family and the inner struggle between the father and the oldest son, it would have been a far better movie. I honoustly wished Jack would kill his dad when he was lying under the car so that the movie could end. Instead, it went on and on to end with a lame heaven scene which nobody in the theater I went to seemed to care about.

I could look at Christy all day. ;)

everyone has there own opinion dont think like that if they hate it, they hate it... even if you hate it or not you cant deny the staggering visuals and ambition which is absouletly dizzing.. (literally i am dizzy from watching it)

this movie reminds me of religious text and scripture in general. so vague and general , still entertaining in a confusing sense, but just enough for us to use our imaginations and put the puzzle pieces together. if this movie did want to say something, it would have. leaving the audience wondering what the message was, and letting them make a message for themselves is no different than scripture in some dogmatic text

I'm still not totally clear on what this movie is about. If I knew I might check it out but I'm not going to take two and a half hours out of my life without knowing what the basic premise is. I've seen a number of movies that people told me were great and I wasn't impressed with in the slightest and I don't want to waist my time again.

I agree with the guy on the right. It was beautiful but it was very flawed.

Why? I respect anyone for getting more out of a film than I did.

@ohwowwahwaow That was quite possibly the worst response to my question. But whatever, it's a youtube comment board. I don't know why I was expecting something with at least some thought behind it. But are you saying that the definition for pretentious is something that's artsy as fuck?

haha atchity is awesome...even if i don't agree with alot of RT's ratings

@neshannockfez and if we're going for quality let me just tell you, TV or your local planetarium has the exact same footage. no need to get regilicious for that

Coming out the theater all I could think of was, "I have no idea what I watched, but I think it was good"

Saw it today. Wasn't all that impressed really. Wait for the DVD if you really can be bothered.