Comments on: Terrence Malick’s “Tree of Life” and a Lesson in Film Watching

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:23:25 +0000

In reply to aboley1. "Cinema verite" on a level never seen. Hmmmm. I like that.

By: aboley1

aboley1 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:30:41 +0000

I think what Malick does, just within scenes as a filmmaker, is amazing. He doesn’t do coverage and he doesn’t do overly long takes, but the scenes flow so well. He cuts unexpectedly and always uses sounds to work as transitions. The shots feel organic but the angles and lenses he uses all mean something. The film is so modern, with fast steadicam push ins, fast pace scenes(trust me Tree of Life is fast paced) and the way he uses the camera’s POV. Some shots in the movie seem to be a POV of a spirit, the camera floats around, it tracks from odd distances, it’s a spectator. And at other points it obviously POV of the kid. Then in the last scenes(in heaven I guess you could call it) his POV is ambigious. Another thing he does in this film that is crazy to think about but he repeats shots so slighly that I didn’t notice them the first couple of times. But they matter and the more I think about the film the more the placement of shots is so important. Like push in’s through trees, and a three second shot of the brother disappearing behind a house, or the sun dissapearing in the frame(which happens a couple times). Thin Red Line and New World did a lot of these tricks, he almost composites the film through the images he gets. I can’t imagine you could make a film like this from a storyboard, this is all pure cinema verite on a level never seen.

By: Jason Manahan

Jason Manahan — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:48:49 +0000

I am in awe of this film. I am humbled. I had planned to blog about it before I saw it earlier this year. I have sat down many times to attempt it, but to no avail. Now that it is out on Blue Ray, I have watched it 3 times in it’s entirety and the creation sequence many times (I often put on the creation sequence just to fill the house with that great soundtrack).

The truth is, I see something new every time I watch it. I get it, I feel it, but I do believe I will be a student of this film for the rest of my life. I have had many deep and rewarding conversations with friends and colleagues about this film. I think I’d better just leave it at that…

By: naturestage

naturestage — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:07:10 +0000

Malick has invented a new form of filmmaking. I wrote a review after seeing it this summer about the connection between music and the many themes and also the cycling through the four elements as they are transformed for better or worse by humanity. I’m sure I’ll see and hear differently each time I watch this masterpiece. http://naturestage.org/2011/07/15/music-and-image-in-malicks-the-tree-of-life/

By: Chris P. Jones

Chris P. Jones — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:37:51 +0000

I was shocked by the use of something I considered a cliche. At least he didn’t have a horror scene with little kids voices, a creepy creature that moves in jumpcuts, a cool person walking away from an explosion without looking back, or a “stick the landing” kung fu move (0:48 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVrGMnk5E_M)

However, he might’ve done the “stretch your hand out the car window and do the dolphin with the passing breeze.” Can’t remember.

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:26:58 +0000

In reply to Chris P. Jones. I think that canyon represented a vision into the afterlife. Or something like that. I'm sure Malick would really appreciate you comparing Tree of Life to a film student project. ;)

By: Chris P. Jones

Chris P. Jones — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:38:20 +0000

Waco representin’!

I, too, was very touched by the movie. Although I did have a problem with Sean Penn walking through a door that was mysteriously in the middle of a canyon. Every film student has that cliche shot in their senior project…but mostly in a field…with, perhaps, a typewriter or record player off to the side.

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:33:57 +0000

In reply to Jason Pittman. Yeah. The Dawn of Time sequence is pretty amazing.

By: Jason Pittman

Jason Pittman — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:14:33 +0000

In reply to Ron Dawson. I'm going to rent it tonight. I love Thin Red Line, Days of Heaven and Badlands. I heard about the whole history of the world thing from a buddy who got to see it in the theatre in Chicago and he said it was awesome.

By: Ron Dawson

Ron Dawson — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:07:30 +0000

In reply to Jason Pittman. I would think if you're a Mallick fan, you'll love this. And regardless of whether or not it wins best picture, this film won't quickly be forgotten. I only wish it had played in a theater close enough to me where I could've seen it on the big screen. I'm hoping they'll re-release it prior to Oscars to give it more play time.