The Tree of Life

The first twenty minutes are breathtaking in terms of camera work and editing, and the narrative segments are pleasantly ambiguous. But then we look into space, into prehistory, and back again, and nothing changes. The main story just stays in one place with the unwavering Pit at the forefront the whole time. I don't share Malick's personal remorse, and so I find it very difficult to forgive the spiritual subtext (which quite openly transitions into religious propaganda). It's like a dream, like a memory. But it's foreign, and therefore, no accompanying emotions are evoked. (2012-01-26)

Stating that the latest Malick film isn't for everyone probably won't put anyone off, so I'll start in a different way. As far as I am concerned, The Tree of Life fulfilled its purpose 100%. It captured exactly my mood of the moment, and it managed to satisfy my poetic nature perfectly. For two and a quarter hours I enjoyed the beautiful images, listened to the beautiful music (and did not regret that Desplat's sensational soundtrack did not get much space), let myself be carried away, moved by the story of a father and son relationship that is very close to me, amazed.... Believe it or not, I thought the film was too short. Boredom is the last thing that comes to mind when I think of it. In short, after a long time, this is a film that I want to see again. But I'll wait until it moves from the multiplex to the club, where I'll enjoy it even more.__P.S. Both the adult and child actors are great.__P.P.S. The scene in which “Vltava" plays is quite possibly the best, but I wonder if the music gives chills all over the body of non-Czech viewers.__P.P.P.S. All those who are bothered by the quotes from the Bible and the constant references to God might consider whether God is not meant to be something other than "the bearded man worshipped by Christians". Anyone doesn't get anything even when they hear from the screen "The only way to be happy is to love. Unless you love, your life will flash by." probably shouldn't have gone to see The Tree of Life. (2011-07-22)

Beautiful images, perhaps even some poetry at times, but the emotions are fleeting. Brad Pitt's performance is phenomenal, and overall the film is more than controversial in terms of what it represents, how it speaks to the audience, and what it is actually about. One big unknown, and Terrence Malick aspires to be one of the greatest eccentrics in Hollywood. (2012-04-15)

This film is only missing a robot prostitute from the future, otherwise it has everything. It’s very hard to digest, maybe it has a satisfactory answer to the question of life, the universe and everything, but I was unable to find it. Yet it has quite a few moments that I liked that were either though-provoking or just visually beautiful, so in the end I was less bored than I’d expected. That said, at home on the computer, with a plethora of things to distract me, I wouldn’t manage it. (2011-08-08)

Malick’s piece tells a lot about a life of the dominant species on earth, and amazing space and earth-shaping interludes shows its futility in the overall context. That entire trivial part with the family and typical problems fades away in the void of creation. We have our own unique place in space, that is important for us, the most important, but we should never forget that we are mere dust. Sometimes it’s good to just stop for a while and ponder a little. This is a visual masterpiece and the music is a chapter on its own. And Brad Pitt as a fatherly figure surpasses himself. (2011-07-24)