Directed by: Terrence Malick
Run time: 139 min
Since I have seen most of Malick's work, I am a bit prepared for this one. As I expected the film relies heavily on visual treat (including the ring of Saturn, dinosaurs and squids) with 'footnote' narration but doesn't disappoint in terms of story. Well, that is if you can figure out what the main story is. But if you are not familiar with Malick's style (mostly wordless sequences involving individuals, distilled to actions or looks, shots of nature to convey mood and tension, and enhanced with musical interludes), you can get lost in the beautiful but disjointed scenes of natural life and the drama. To put it simply, it feels as if a National Geographic documentary has a story in it. Beautiful pictures are abound and it will not bore you at all.
Although the story seem plot-less but if you let yourself immersed in the whole thing, you can figure out what it's all about without choking yourself with loads of books about Philosophy and Religion. To put it in one word the film is contemplative, regardless what your belief is.
However, loaded with spiritual symbolism, this one is not difficult to follow at all and eventhough it encompass a family story combined with the creation of the universe, it doesn't fall into a pretentious movie. It could easily fall into such category by inserting over the top narration with sophisticated vocabulary, but it doesn't.
So what's it all about? Supposed you have read the synopsis and watch the trailer, you still cannot guess what the story is all about.
The film begins with the O’Brien (Brad Pitt) and the wife (Jessica Chastain) grieving their teenage son’s death. Then the story moves forward to present time where Jack (Sean Penn) still thinking over his brother's death. The story itself revolves around the family drama with less dialogue. Mr O'Brien is a loving father of three boys trying to balance being a warm father and a strict one, while Mrs. O'Brien is more permissive, providing comfort and warm.
As usual the boys rebel and the father has to apply his harsh measurement. The mother become the comforter and the son try to find his place in the world while make peace with them self and the father. I think the father is not strict, he just behave what he think is right and yes conflict does happen in any family.
So what is the connection between this family drama and the creation of the earth (and universe)? I think it is left to the viewers to figure out all by them self. In my opinion it means that we human ponder about our existence in the universe, and how small we are in the vastness of space.
Run time: 139 min
Since I have seen most of Malick's work, I am a bit prepared for this one. As I expected the film relies heavily on visual treat (including the ring of Saturn, dinosaurs and squids) with 'footnote' narration but doesn't disappoint in terms of story. Well, that is if you can figure out what the main story is. But if you are not familiar with Malick's style (mostly wordless sequences involving individuals, distilled to actions or looks, shots of nature to convey mood and tension, and enhanced with musical interludes), you can get lost in the beautiful but disjointed scenes of natural life and the drama. To put it simply, it feels as if a National Geographic documentary has a story in it. Beautiful pictures are abound and it will not bore you at all.
Although the story seem plot-less but if you let yourself immersed in the whole thing, you can figure out what it's all about without choking yourself with loads of books about Philosophy and Religion. To put it in one word the film is contemplative, regardless what your belief is.
However, loaded with spiritual symbolism, this one is not difficult to follow at all and eventhough it encompass a family story combined with the creation of the universe, it doesn't fall into a pretentious movie. It could easily fall into such category by inserting over the top narration with sophisticated vocabulary, but it doesn't.
So what's it all about? Supposed you have read the synopsis and watch the trailer, you still cannot guess what the story is all about.
The film begins with the O’Brien (Brad Pitt) and the wife (Jessica Chastain) grieving their teenage son’s death. Then the story moves forward to present time where Jack (Sean Penn) still thinking over his brother's death. The story itself revolves around the family drama with less dialogue. Mr O'Brien is a loving father of three boys trying to balance being a warm father and a strict one, while Mrs. O'Brien is more permissive, providing comfort and warm.
As usual the boys rebel and the father has to apply his harsh measurement. The mother become the comforter and the son try to find his place in the world while make peace with them self and the father. I think the father is not strict, he just behave what he think is right and yes conflict does happen in any family.
So what is the connection between this family drama and the creation of the earth (and universe)? I think it is left to the viewers to figure out all by them self. In my opinion it means that we human ponder about our existence in the universe, and how small we are in the vastness of space.
