Terrence Malick's 'The Tree of Life' is not a piece of Hollywood entertainment.
Instead, 'The Tree of Life' is an intensely visual piece of art.
In a note posted to its patrons, the Avon cinema in the USA summed the movie up perfectly.
"Dear Patrons, In response to some customer feedback and a polarized audience response from last weekend, we would like to take this opportunity to remind patrons that THE TREE OF LIFE is a uniquely visionary and deeply philosophical film from an auteur director. It does not follow a traditional, linear narrativer approach to storytelling. We encourage patrons to read up on the film before choosing to see it, and for those electing to attend, please go in with an open mind and know that the Avon has a NO-REFUND policy once you have purchased a ticket to see one of our films. The Avon stands behind this ambitious work of art and other challenging films, which define us as a true art house cinema, and we hope you will expand your horizons with us. Thank you." (The original poster can be seen here)
I can guarantee that if you attempt to walk into this movie without having read any information on the concepts and ideas that Malick is portraying, you will end up confused, bored, and to quote one woman next to me "I will never again watch another of this guy's pretentious rubbish".
But, if you take the time to do the back reading, and walk into the cinema knowing that this will be something completely unique from anything mainstream, you will be able to appreciate some of the most phenomenal acting to have ever graced the big screen.
'The Tree of Life', takes you on a journey from the very beginning of time. Starting with the formation of the earth, stopping briefly to give a snap shot of the lives of one family and then flings you forward to the very end of time, asking the question, what happens to us when we die?
Although writer and director Terrence Malick, makes use of extensive visual effects for the first time in his career, it is interesting to note that only 10-20 percent of what the audience see's is computer generated, and it is difficult at times to pick which frame is real and which fits into the naturalistic world that Malick is trying to create.
Once you get past 'The Tree of Life's' beautiful, but somewhat slow and drawn out beginning; which has, and I joke you not, at least seven dinosaurs. You are introduced to the main protagonist Jack O'Brien and his family.
It is this middle section of the film that is the gem that the audience has been waiting for.
You laugh, cry, cringe and gasp in fear as this ordinary 1950's family tells us a story about ego, shame, humility and grace.
You cannot help but be caught up in this family's struggles, triumphs and failures. Every character is so accessible. It is easy to visualise them as the people living down the street from you, or even members of your own family.
Malick uses Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain's characters of Mr and Mrs O'Brien, along with their three sons to explore and look at the contrast between the themes of innocence and violence, nature and spirit and stark reality and transcendent beauty.
There are no depicted or implied sex scenes. There is a small amount of domestic violence, but no gore. The language is clean with no drug use depicted.
Giving a star rating is difficult, because this movie is not going to be liked by many.
It does not follow a linear narrative and the symbolism can quite literally make your brain hurt. You will find parts of this film excruciatingly boring and impossibly confusing.
Yet, you will be touched and blown away by the tiny pockets of perfection scattered throughout this 138 minute story about a single family, but also simultaneously, the creation of the cosmos.
I give 'The Tree of Life' 1 out of 5 stars for the average movie goer
For those who are not looking for entertainment, but instead seeking out a unique cinematic language then I give 'The Tree of Life' 3 out of 5 stars.
Language Light
Violence Light
Gore None
Sexual references Light
Drugs None
Fantasy themes None