The Tree of Life—odd and difficult to follow—needs a good, thorough plotline read (see Wikipedia) and some research into the original intent to produce. It's completely intellectual, relies heavily on metaphors and similes, has really good cinematography, and quickly polarizes audiences into 'loved it', 'hated it' opinions. It's difficult to find its overarching principle. It definitely invites after viewing discussion. Director Terrence
Malick understands something in this artistic production that will completely "blow right over the heads' of most audiences.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Its the story of life in metaphors and similes as experienced through the O'Brien family.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Terrence Malick for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Donald Rosenfeld for making the film possible. Cast includes Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Jessica Fuselier, Nicholas Gonda, and Will Wallace.
Buy a
ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. It is highly intellectualized, artistic production that may 'blow right
over the heads' of most audiences. Nothing lacking in portrayal, presentation, and acting.
If— unusually kind and gentle—earns its watch recommendation. Its poignant reminder that everyone needs their childhood imaginary friend all through life is sweetly delivered and can be well received. Director John Krasinski (A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part 2) also acts in the movie along with Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds and Fiona Shaw. It's a complicated watch that more than deserves its addition to the home video library. Be aware there is a bit of 'language' that may need some editing before watching as a family share. This is a terrific example of a movie that provides good, after viewing discussion time.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A young girl loses her mother to cancer and her father later needs heart surgery. Traumatization leads to a whole world of imaginary friends who materialize into her universe.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director and Producer John Krazinski for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer George Dewey, John J. Kelly, Kimberly Nelson LoCascio, for making the film possible. Cast includes Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Alan Kim, Liza Colόn-Zayas, Bobby Moynihan, Catherine Daddario, and Audrey Hoffman.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie rates high on the creativity scale and has been exceptionally well-written. Do a reading of the plotline and perhaps a little research into imaginary friends before diving in to watch. It's a high level share movie that works for the whole family...no time to go get popcorn as the movie completely engages the intellect and relies on multiple flash-back scenes to tell the story. Good work for all who cooperatively produced this highly needful movie.