Due to my awareness of a certain Florida trial, the early part of this summer has carried a depressing overtone of death. With a nod toward synchronicity, I spent a couple hours yesterday afternoon considering another death, but this time it was a beautiful and thrilling experience.
I’m speaking of the Palme d’Or winner of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, the Terrence Malick film, The Tree of Life. I sat spellbound through the 138 minutes running time. During a stop at the restroom on the way out, I started to cry. A visceral reaction.
I want to see it again. I saw the movie with my youngest son, who had already seen it once with his wife. She cried too. I told him I felt stunned in a dreamlike way. That reminded me of my reaction to another movie, The New World (2005). Same guy wrote and directed both, he told me, Terrence Malick.
This is not a film for everyone. No superheroes, vampires, wizards, car chases, road trips, buddies, bridesmaids, aliens, or pirates. It’s fluid in time and plot, often without dialogue. It’s music and poetry and art and science and religion. It’s gorgeous and haunting and thought-provoking. Expect an experience rather than entertainment.
If you’re curious, watch the trailer below or go to the Official Movie Site to learn more.
Linda Cassidy Lewis 
This movie is on my must see list. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Darlene. 🙂
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The real world what a concept. It took a shooting rampage yesterday before the media got off that other trial stuff. I suspect that will not get as much media attention.
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Well, Duke, I think it’s understandable that the death of a child touches people more, but then, children die every day around the world. I have vowed to never get caught up in the drama of trials again … unless I decide to write crime fiction, which is not likely.
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If Brad Pitt and Sean Penn are in it, I gotta see it.
As for the trial, the only worse than getting away with murder, is that gal will have agents offering deals right and left, while us good-mother authors will get slammed with rejections because we are good-mother authors.
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I nominate Tricia as Writer’s Advocate of the year! No truer words have ever been spoken.
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Warning: Pitt and Penn are in it, but they’re overshadowed by the visuals.
Well, yes, she’ll get her book deal (as well as movie deal and appearance fees), but Karma will get her in the end.
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Thanks for the recommendation. I’m going to add this one to my list. I’ve heard other positive reviews that it’s a very unique picture.
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It is unique, Jacquelin. I hope you enjoy it.
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Perfect, Linda. This has been on my list. The last date my husband and I had, I almost set us up for an odd double feature because I wanted to see this so bad, but it was his turn to choose. I hope I can catch it before it disappears. Thank you for this!
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My husband would not have appreciated this movie, E. 😉 I hope you get to see and enjoy it.
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