Tree of Life – Terrence Malick

by Bob Martin | Jul 1, 2011 | Art, Directors, Movies, Writers

Carina Nebula

It is the  first words spoken that makes this movie understandable and perfect for me. Malick treats the rest of the dialog like the utterance of the universe, important but not understandable. The idea that nature and grace exist for us to choose from is not a religious idea and that following one over another is neither right nor wrong, that in the larger scheme of things it may not matter. There are no understandable answers.

I kept thinking of the first verse of  Joni Mitchell’s “The Sire of Sorrow”, and that we  seek  pain, not satisfaction.  Life’s awareness will bring to your knees in pure awe, but that would be too easy.

“Let me speak, let me spit out my bitterness–
Born of grief and nights without sleep and festering flesh
Do you have eyes?
Can you see like mankind sees?
Why have you soured and curdled me?
Oh you tireless watcher! What have I done to you?
That you make everything I dread and everything I fear come true?...joni mitchell

I didn’t find this movie  religious or trying to clarify the origins of stuff and can understand why some people would. For me the compelling message is that there is wonder all around us and we spend most of our time focused on ourselves and that what we pay attention is what we get.

If you decide to see this movie go with a group committed to viewing  the full movie. Later have a conversation about what you saw or felt about the movie, it all in the experience of seeing “Tree of Life”  vs. trying to understand it. All interpretations have value.

Also it will help to see it in a theater that has both exceptional visual and sound equipment. I’ve got to see it again at a different theater. Sorry Hawkins Scottsdale.