The first reviews for the sprawling Terrence Malick epic, The Tree Of Life have landed. If you're a keen reader of The Movie Bit (you should be!), you'll know that with each day my excitement for the project grows and grows. So it's with a little disappointment that I bring you the first reactions for the most debated film of the naughties;
Drew McWeeny of Hitfix says, "a beautiful, at times infuriating, undeniably indulgent new effort that comes dangerously close to self-parody at times".
Damon Wise of Empire calls it, "An interesting, impressionistic and almost certainly autobiographical film was sunk by its ambition. Malick takes his elliptical style to new, almost incomprehensible levels, but the real problem is Sean Penn as Jack".
Stephanie Zacharek of Movieline says, "Malick, characteristically, doesn't seem to care much for people at all. Desert rock formations, rushing streams, sunflowers waving gently in the sun, and all sorts of cradle-of-life folderol are the things that really rock his world — he cuts to them whenever he needs to try to explain the inexplicable, which is often".
While all the reviews aren't as critical, it seems the general consensus is that Malick's picture is self-indulgent, confusing and meanders to a great length. We'll no doubt have our own review up here as soon as The Tree
Of Life lands this summer, so check back often.
Drew McWeeny of Hitfix says, "a beautiful, at times infuriating, undeniably indulgent new effort that comes dangerously close to self-parody at times".
Damon Wise of Empire calls it, "An interesting, impressionistic and almost certainly autobiographical film was sunk by its ambition. Malick takes his elliptical style to new, almost incomprehensible levels, but the real problem is Sean Penn as Jack".
Stephanie Zacharek of Movieline says, "Malick, characteristically, doesn't seem to care much for people at all. Desert rock formations, rushing streams, sunflowers waving gently in the sun, and all sorts of cradle-of-life folderol are the things that really rock his world — he cuts to them whenever he needs to try to explain the inexplicable, which is often".
While all the reviews aren't as critical, it seems the general consensus is that Malick's picture is self-indulgent, confusing and meanders to a great length. We'll no doubt have our own review up here as soon as The Tree
Of Life lands this summer, so check back often.
