The Tree of Life

[Katharos]

Highly recommend it!

I love movies that depict raw human emotion and tackle big topics and existential questions. Terrence Malick's movie does just that. It begins with a quote from the Book of Job and somehow successfully took me on a tour of God's creation of the universe, to human experience in one particular family in the 50's, to the reconnection with loved ones on the beaches of Heaven.

I can't succinctly describe this movie because it covers so much. In a way, it's more of a piece of glorious art than a mere movie. It elicited emotional and physical responses in me that were on par with the most spiritual responses I have felt from particularly beautiful pieces of classical music. The layers of the movie are intriguing, and everyone in my family took away different favorite parts that they were able to relate to and appreciate. This is a movie that you will still be pondering days after watching it.

The Tree of Life does have its weaknesses. Overall, though, a stunning piece of art.

[veronica]

I can see why some people wouldn't like it (Mom/Vicki, you wouldn't) because it's so slow and artsy. I loved it. Focus on the Family hit it on the head with their review: http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2011/q4/treeoflife.aspx.

""There are two ways to go through life," we're told in The Tree of Life. "The way of nature, and the way of grace. You have to choose which one to follow." We are born into worlds of science and wonder. Our bodies are built of DNA and protoplasm, molded from clay and dust and the breath of God. We're torn by random tragedy, healed through purposeful transformation. Ours is a place where the strong survive and the meek are blessed. It is a place of paradox...[older brother] Jack is stronger and meaner than his grace-filled sibling, Mother and Father's middle son. He picks on him, ruins his art projects and even physically hurts him. But after a particularly violent transgression, young Jack begs forgiveness—forgiveness that his brother grants. For all Jack's strength and aggression, his meeker younger brother proves that there's strength in grace."

[vicki]

Thanks. You know which movies I like so I'll take your word on it, Veronica. Sounds interesting, however.