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The Tree of Life
- Review Date: May 27, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Unique, difficult, poetic masterpiece about life and death.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, even more so than his previous movies, this drama from legendary and elusive director Terrence Malick is a work of poetic images rather than a cohesive, solid story. The main theme seems to be family relationships, but it all takes place within a huge universal context of infinite time, space, and even dreamscapes. There's the suggestion of simmering violence on the part of the father, but while he often yells, he very rarely lashes out physically. Language is minimal; a flashback sequence contains passing visual references to sexual reproduction. But even though there's not a huge amount of age-inappropriate content for teens, younger viewers are likely to be bored; this movie requires a great deal of patience and the ability to embrace new and unique cinematic encounters.
What's the story?
In the 1950s in Waco, Texas, a man (Brad Pitt) tries to provide for his pretty wife (Jessica Chastain) and three boys, but bad luck gets the better of him. He begins to take out his failures and frustrations on his family. Years later, the oldest boy, Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn), contemplates his life and a terrible tragedy that continues to haunt him. He enters into a kind of dream state where he revisits the figures of his past. In between these time periods, images of the universe and the origins of life offer a new perspective on these small, earthly events.
Is it any good?
Director Terrence Malick is one of the most mysterious and powerful filmmaking talents in the world today, and the infrequent release of his movies (only five in 40 years) creates a tremendous sense of anticipation. At the same time, his movies are a hard sell, focusing mainly on powerful, poetic imagery instead of clear, linear storytelling; most viewers simply aren't used to watching movies like this. But at the same time, Malick delivers, making the same kinds of movies today as he made in the 1970s, as impossible as that sounds.
THE TREE OF LIFE is perhaps his darkest and most difficult movie to date, focusing on an angry, troubled father and the way he takes out his frustrations on his children. At the same time, hope comes in the most abstract of ways, which may leave viewers unsatisfied. But Malick's astoundingly potent physical poetry makes all this spring to life; it's a movie to be felt and experienced deeply.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the film's underlying violence. Why is the father so angry and frustrated? How does he express it, and why?
What does the grown son actually learn during his quest? Does the movie have a happy, or hopeful, ending?
Who do you think this movie is intended to appeal to? What message is it trying to convey to its audience?
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Parent
July 4, 2011
AGE
Got be in the right mood for this one.. not a pick me up movie.
Hard to sit thru. Imagery & cinematography are awe inspiring, but way too cerebrial.
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Adult
December 2, 2011
AGE
A serenely beautiful film that is only difficult if you don't open your mind and imagination
I think the summary of "difficult" by Common Sense Media is unfortunate. This is NOT a difficult movie. Yes, it is a bit poetic. Yes, it is unique. But I think the ability to enjoy this film is relative to one's artistic education and one's spirituality.
I saw this film with my mature 17 year old who is an artist. I've taken her to a lot of art films, and she gobbles them up. She is well read, can see metaphors and symbolism in art and films, and is able to serve up critical thinking skills after seeing films. Both my 17 year old and I LOVED this film.
Unfortunately, however, after the film two women came up to us and asked about all the imagery included in the film -- "What was all that?" These women were obviously a product of American "serve it to you" entertainment. My daughter and I gave them some ideas of how the imagery was metaphorical and literal and how it served the larger piece. It opened their eyes. The imagery in this film portrays feelings, thoughts, ideas, resolution, grief, hope, life, God, and hundreds of your own personal thoughts -- they also directly relate to the ideas and writer's intent in the film. Open your mind. Open your imagination.
If you are over 35, I think you will really enjoy this film. There's a lot of period material here that will move you. AND this film is NOT a downer. It is a beautiful film about life, hope, and the hereafter.
What other families should know:
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Parent of 14 and 19 year old
November 20, 2011
AGE
thought provoking
not the type of movie most americans would like, kind of hard to sit through if you are used to the normal type of movie with the hero / villain type setup. not a glossed over family life type of movie, depicts real life sadness and struggles of everyday american family that although we may not enjoy watching as much allows one opportunity for own personnal assessment. has a foreign film type of random flow with decentralized plot. Young teenagers will require more mature development for their age to appreciate.
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Parent of 6 and 9 year old
November 26, 2011
AGE
Very slow and confusing
Redefines slow. I was waiting for it to end from about 10 minutes in. We had finally decided to turn it off when it did end...though we didn't realize it for a while.
Nice imagery, though.
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Teen, 13 years old
August 23, 2011
AGE
Needs to be nominated for best Pic.
Very well done and beautiful. The average person would think it's boring but if you enjoy the beauty of the world and are an artistic person you will absolutly adore this movie
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
November 13, 2011
AGE
Didn't like it.
Nice photography but way too puzzling.
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Parent of 8 year old
October 13, 2011
AGE
A Brad Pitt Movie That Is Actually Hard to Watch...
Wow, I wish I read this before I rented it. The reviewer is right, this movie is VERY difficult to get through. While visually compelling, their is very little story line, and what story there is, is just too sad. As a parent, I always find it very difficult to watch movies where children die and leave their parents to cope with their loss. This is probably most appropriate for art film buffs, but not those of you who were looking forward to watching these two amazing actors share the silver screen.
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Adult
December 18, 2011
AGE
Not for everyone
Although this movie contains virtually no objectionable content, it isn't a movie for everyone. This movie tackles tough existential questions, and to do that, it disregards conventional movie-making tactics such as plot, and sometimes dialogue. For those who can deal with that, this movie is moving and enlightening and will stay with you long after you finish the movie. One suggestion is to go into the movie with an open mind, and by the end of the movie, you will certainly have a greater appreciation for the world around you.
What other families should know:
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Adult
February 17, 2012
AGE
Very Artsy
Great for art film enthusiasts. NOT for young audiences or home/family entertainment. Provokes questions about human relationships, relationship with God, etc. Beautiful, but not for the entertainment seeker.
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Teen, 16 years old
February 6, 2012
AGE
Odd masterpiece with wonderful images
Many people will give up on "Tree of Life" before it gets to its most interesting moments because of sheer boredom. Luckily I could see past it, and the segment involving the creation of the world was extraordinary. Watch this with the family or a buddy, because if you view it alone you're going to be drowning in questions. It's a sublime movie that was meant to be interpreted by many different ways. The two things that really sealed the deal for me were Chastain's excellent performance and the nature scenes of the ocean. Those things were enough to secure the film the Best Picture nomination alone!
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| Studio: | Fox Searchlight |
| Director: | Terrence Malick |
| Cast: | Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 138 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 27, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | October 11, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | some thematic material |
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