THE TREE OF LIFE

Cosmic hocus pocus + Suburban Focus + Diplodocus =

Review by: James

2 points before we start.

1) I think Terrence Malick is just fantastic. His Pocahontas epic The New World is great, and The Thin Red Line is my favourite war movie ever. Apart from Stripes.

2) I'm terrified of the retail clothing store "Tree of life". Even being near it makes me uncomfortable. Crystals, feathers, kaftans. It just makes no sense to me at all. But I guess Angus and Julia Stone need to get their outfits from somewhere. 

I disclose the first point however because it means this review is probably biased. Whatever. The second point however was probably unnecessary. (Seriously though, what the fuck is that store? Anyone??) 

Set in a small town in Texas, The Tree of Life follows the story of three young boys, growing up in American suburbia in the 1950's. It centers on the oldest boy, Jack, (Hunter McCracken) who is struggling to come to terms with what is becoming an increasingly complicated world. Split between a wondrous, loving mother (Jessica Chastain), and a stern, driven father (Brad Pitt), Jacks confusion, and discovery, become part of something else much bigger, as we dip in and out of time, and space. Yes space. Did I mention there are dinosaurs? Not in the 1950's. But heaps earlier. So yeah. Sprawling middle-American family drama with dinosaurs.  For a kid, the acting of Hunter McCracken is totally brilliant. As good as you'll see from a young actor. In fact the performances from everyone are excellent, except for maybe Sean Penn, who spends most of his screen time looking like a man who can't remember where he's parked his car. 

 At times, The Tree of Life jumps around without explanation, and it can feel a bit bewildering, but if you can disregard your uncertainty about what’s happening, and trust that you're in good hands, then everything becomes much more enjoyable (much like an unsolicited back massage). On the other hand, there’s a genuine sense of beauty and wonder throughout the whole thing. Every single shot seems to be designed to evoke an emotion. And I love that. I also love just how polarising the response to the film has been. Some people talk about it like they've had some sort of highbrow cinematic orgasm, whilst others seem to hate it more than The Last Airbender. About 5% of audience goers in the States are even walking out mid movie, which I really don't get. Anyone whose heard a little bit about it, or about the director, understands that like his previous movies, it’s a slow, very deliberately paced film. Surely you know what you're getting into before you buy your ticket? Its like that time Jade and I went to that fried chicken place in Nashville (Prince’s) and ordered the extra-hot chicken wings:

Chicken Guy: "Are you sure about that? They are super hot." 

Me: "I'm pretty good with Spicy food"

Chicken Man: " Yeah, It's just that sometimes people find them a little too much...”

Me: "Dude, I think I can handle your chicken wings ok?"

So I ordered the chicken wings, and I you know what? They were waaaaay too spicy. My lips felt like they were being tasered and my eyes were all watering and I was sweating and I couldn't even finish eating the whole thing.  You know what I mean?

The Tree of Life might not be the easiest thing to watch, but it’s unlike anything I've ever seen. Which I guess is a pretty big wrap. I saw it three days ago, and I'm still thinking about it. I'm thinking about my own childhood and the feeling that came with it. I'm thinking about how everyone and everything shapes what we become. I'm thinking about dinosaurs. And I'm also thinking about the fact that the popcorn at EVENT cinemas could only be more expensive if it was coated in cocaine instead of sea salt. (11 bucks? Are you fucking kidding me?)

Will you like it? I don't know. What do I look like? The Mentalist? (I don't even own a waistcoat.) What I do know is that The Tree of Life is challenging, full of emotion, stunningly beautiful but also at times confusing and even a touch boring. Probably a bit like dating Jessica Biel.

4 stars

SUMMARY: Discovery channel meets revolutionary road meets Koyaanisqatsi meets Stand by me

WHO SHOULD SEE IT: Jessica Biel fans, spicy chicken lovers. 
RELEASE DATE: In cinemas now