Saw this last week, but wanted to have a real long think about it, and let it really sink in before I wrote up my thoughts on it.

Now, let me start this off by saying that I love Malick. I loved certain aspects of Tree of Life, and really didn't like other aspects of it. But regardless, I went into this movie really hoping, and wishing that I would love it.

And I did.

It was quite possibly one of the most beautifully shot films I have ever had the pleasure of watching. The landscapes were stunning. And once again, Malick has made small-town America look almost heavenly.

The film is basically an exploration of love; the finding and loss of it. Ben Affleck falls in love with a French woman in Paris, and brings her and her daughter back to Oklahoma to live with him. Rachel McAdams appears as a former love interest of Affleck's, who threatens his relationship with said French woman. Javier Bardem plays a priest who is experiencing a crisis related to his faith, and has 'lost' God.

In classic Malick fashion, the majority of the dialogue comes by the way of voice-overs, a technique which I have always loved.

The film is actually told in a relatively linear structure as well, which was a complete surprise due to my preconceptions of the movie I had, relating to Tree of Life.

There are still a few things in the movie I am unsure of, unsure of their significance, or what they actually mean, so if anyone has seen the movie, feel free to chime in here, and we can get a little discussion going

But yeah, I recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed Malick's work in the past.

A solid 4/5.

Toby.

Yeah. Good stuff. No Tree of Life, for me, but definitely head and shoulders above the average film and appropriately Malick-y without being over the top. A straightforward drama story elevated by an incredible director. Affleck and McAdams were fine but not outstanding, for me; Kurylenko was excellent. A pleasure to see her chops after a thin role in Oblivion.

Absolutely loved Tree of Life. Was hoping for a good film, came out a little disappointed. I felt the first half was incredibly dull and slow, maybe I was in a bad mood but I was not enjoying the film. But when the extra 'plot' finally kicked in, I was engrossed.

Quoted from Toby_E In classic Malick fashion, the majority of the dialogue comes by the way of voice-overs, a technique which I have always loved.

Agreed, they're my favourite aspect of his films.

I actually agree, Mo. I loved the first 5-10 minutes of the film, when they were in Paris, but then I started to get a bit restless when they first moved back to America; until Javier Bardem and Rachel McAdams came along. And from that point, like you, I was engrossed. I saw this with a few of my friends who also love Malick's previous work, but they found the whole film to be dull and slow, despite the introduction of the other plots. So I can see why some people woudn't like this. But I, for one, really enjoyed it.

I need to check this out, sounds like a film I'd love.

-- Curt