For the world’s film buffs, perhaps no film was more anticipated this year than Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. If nothing else, Malick is a man who refuses to settle for mediocrity. He goes for no less than absolute greatness with every film, sometimes at the expense of things like “plot” and “coherence.” Yet that’s why we love the man, and The Tree of Life is an example of Malick at his most Malick-y. Over the course of two hours, this film meditates on the meaning of life, man’s place in the universe, the afterlife, and just about everything else ever. The Tree of Life is the film Malick has been looking to make all along, with every existential idea he’s ever had thrown into a single gargantuan package. It’s not easy to swallow, but it’s a rewarding and entrancing experience. It’s very much a film that you have to let happen, as approaching it in a confrontational manner will completely ruin the experience. And don’t look at your phone or do anything else. To fully appreciate the impact of The Tree of Life, it demands every last second of your attention.
If I have one complaint about the release of The Tree of Life, it’s that they only seem to be releasing a single Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack, not allowing for those of us who simply want the DVD to go for a cheaper option. (I haven’t upgraded to Blu-ray yet, sorry.) As it is, people will just be paying extra money for a disc they can’t use. What about those of us that still live in the stone age, Fox Searchlight? Sigh. Still, The Tree of Life is one of the best films of the year, and you won’t see another film that has anything close to this ambition for a long, long time.
But you just want mediocrity, you say? Well then some other choices this week include the underachieving comedy Horrible Bosses, the pretty terrible attempt at a superhero franchise Green Lantern, and the Kevin James-fall-down-go-boom comedy Zookeeper. No, I have not seen Zookeeper. And it will take a pretty penny for me to sit through such an ordeal.
But seriously, folks. The Tree of freakin’ Life. If this isn’t your first choice this week, you’re doing it wrong.
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