The Tree of Life (2011) - A Masterpiece much needed today | Intricate Films

Existential questioning. It is something we all tend to do. But can you really do so with a film? Can a film, a single film which runs for a bit less than 3 hours sum up our entire existence on this planet? Let's talk about 'The Tree of Life' by Terrence Mallick.

Whenever I watch a film, I always do so with very high expectations. I want to feel the emotions. I want to feel the blood, sweet and tears the crew endured to create a masterpiece worth our time and appreciation.

But this one.... This film. It's different. I must say that I've never experienced such emotions while watching any film before. It was almost surreal. Most of the time when we watch movies, there is always a certain emotion, may it be happiness, sadness, anguish, etc, which is dominant. But this film, I must say, plays every single chord of your heartstrings, rendering you with no other option, but to completely submerge and bury yourself in it.

While the main plot in itself has a lot of presence, it is a beautiful weave of the main plot and the other "Parts" that makes this film unique. I'll get to the "parts" I mention in a bit.

The story is that of the troubled relationship between a father named Mr. O' Brien and his son, Jack who happens to be the protagonist. Mr. O' Brien (portrayed by Brad Pitt) is a man who wants his sons to be tough and ready to face the world when they grew up, So he treats them in a certain way, which he regrets later. In his own words, "I'm sorry, Jack. I may have been a bit too harsh on you..."

Jack has been portrayed by 4 people in total; Sean Penn as the adult Jack, Hunter McCracken as young Jack, Finnegan Williams as Jack at the age of 5, and by Michael Koeth as Jack at the age of 2.

While Pitt's acting was marvellous in my opinion, I wouldn't say so for the character of Jack. You see, the teenage Jack is an aggressive and tough boy who has an almost perpetual frown on his face and looks at the world with his curiosity veiled by this aggression. I also sense a slight hint of discreet pessimism in him.

When teenagers grow up, they mature and see the world in a slightly different way. But in this world, the difference is far too great for me to view it as completely natural. The adult Jack is almost tamed down to an extent we can call, too docile. While the acting was good, the difference almost ruins it in a way.

The other actors, like Jessica Chastain who portrayed Mrs. O' Brien and the actors who did the roles of Jack's siblings and friends did a very good job overall.

I find it a bit difficult to actually write a review for this film. It's not as simple as talking about the acting and rating the dialogues. There is more in this case. Let's talk about the other "parts" which I mentioned earlier.

Along with the main plot, there is a parallel depiction in the form of cutscenes, the formation of the universe, and consequently, life. The film starts with a quotation from the Book of Job : "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth?... When the morning stars sang together and the sons of God shouted for joy?"

The immediate next scene takes us to the 1960s and a telegram Mrs. O' Brien (played by Jessica Chastain) receives. Tragedy. It is the death of her son, R.L. O' Brien, and the brother of Jack.

Why do I mention Jack? Being the main character, the story is his journey of growth and the knowledge he absorbs of the world. The death of his brother, combined with the drowning of his friend, a subsequent death of another by fire, and Mr. O' Brien's harsh methods of parenthood causes Jack to have an almost nihilistic view of the world and ends up feeling that if he's not strong enough, he would be crushed. And all of this is communicated by his facial expressions and general demeanour.

Lets get back to the other "parts". The universe is formed, life begins existing, it often gets taken away, in some circumstances, rather unfairly, speaking objectively. All of these cutscenes (Especially the one with the 2 dinosaurs) are mirroring jack's outlook of the world.

What I absolutely love is the shrouding of all these aspects with some ambiguity. Not too much, not too little, but more than enough to make you relate your life with it. I personally feel it would have been slightly better if the ambiguity was a little on the lesser side than this. It would have gained more solidity to the plot. But it was still very good on its own.

This film really does make you appreciate your life for what it is and what you have, however much or little may it be. The relation? When Mr. O'Brien laments his decision to not be a musician and the fact that he just got de-promoted at his job, he understands that at a certain point in the past, he had or could have had everything he wanted, but now, he has almost nothing. He is almost nothing, having almost lost his family's respect due to his unintentionally abusive behaviour. This makes him apologise to Jack telling, "You're all I got, buddy..."

I really won't bother to spend much time criticizing this film as the beautiful relational mix with Jack's life and that of all of our very existence is more than likely to completely make you forgive the film's minor flaws.

Now, why do I say it is a masterpiece much needed today? Well, in a world where numbers and results are more important than journeys and experiences, quantity trumps quality, calculated actions overpower empathy, and a delicate heart is fortified in stone for many of us, disconnecting us from our emotions and from the truth of our reality, "The Tree of Life" suitably turns the keys of the fort of our hearts, just reminding us of our true nature, but at the same time, polarizing us with an explosion of gratefulness, and the understanding of how short our lives are, and how everything we have which we treasure can be gone in a split second.

 Now tell me. If that is not a masterpiece, then what is? And that's why I recommend you to watch this film to make sure you live to the fullest with no regrets, but only feeling proud of your journey when you stop and take a look back.

I give it a 9 out of 10 on The Intricate Meter since it is a film that submerges you with emotion before you know it. That combined with a marvellous plot and the subscenes give it an amazing feel. It's like a warm embrace of the truth. That's what makes it so nice. The reduction of a point is because of the unpleasant contrast between young and adult Jack and because of the ambiguity. But that shouldn't stop anyone from enjoying this amazing film.

And thus, 'The Tree of Life (2011) has earned its spot on The Intricate Wall of Fame. It is a masterpiece that deserves it through and through. Nothing more to be said.

                                                          - Abhyjith. K. Ashokan

The Important Characters and their Casts:

* Jack, played by Sean Penn as the adult Jack, Hunter McCracken as young Jack, Finnegan Williams as Jack at the age of 5, and by Michael Koeth as Jack at the age of 2. He is the protagonist and the story is about his journey of growth in the world

* Mr. O'Brien, played by Brad Pitt. He is Jack's father. He is a man best described as a bit rough around the edges. He treats his children in harsher than normal manner because he feels it would toughen them up and help them face the world. He doesn't follow his dream of becoming a musician.

* Mrs. O' Brien, played by Jessica Chastain. She is the mother of Jack. She is a very docile, but caring woman who accepts her husband's harsh behaviour with submission. She is loved deeply by Jack.


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                                                           - Abhyjith and Arvind