After pausing the film to go to the bathroom, upon my return I that my television was displaying a beautifully painted picture, not a movie. Every frame of this film is more beautiful than the last, and has the qualities of a painting. The films beauty does not end at the picture itself, but continues into the way director Terrance Malick handles the multitude of films that are present throughout, that deal with life, death, after life, and the way of grace vs. nature.
This Oscar nominated film is about a family living in 1960’s Texas. A mother, who represents grace, a father who represents nature, and a son which is struggling to choose between the two of them. It’s a coming of age story that everyone can relate back to their own childhood. A childhood filled with friends, fun, and mischief, while at the same time dealing with your parents that are leading each of you in different directions. While I usually use this blog to talk about the various themes and messages found within the film, I feel as though this is a film that needs to be interpreted entirely by yourself. It can teach us something about loss, creation, afterlife, and choices but the beauty here is that Malick doesn’t tell you how to think or feel. He presents the themes and messages in way that have you interpret them for yourself. There is no right way for this film to be dissected and interpreted. It is something that must experience and see which choices are for you, or maybe a happy medium is what is necessary for you.
I read from somewhere that “If god created movies, it would look like this.” While I agree with this, the reviewer believed this because of its beautiful cinematography, which is the best I have ever seen, and its heavenly soundtrack. I however feel as though this is God’s movie because of its central human story, which is the result of the creation of earth, where we end up after our lives are over, and the choices and challenges we must deal with while we traverse God’s creation. Or maybe everything I’m saying is wrong and you hate it your first watch and never want to see it again. Either way I highly recommend you watch this film. Thanks for reading and make sure to come back next week for another installation of Jackson’s obscure film of the week.
