Any thoughts on the controversial movie "Tree of Life"?

[NRaleighLiberal]

Sounds like as many people love it as absolutely hate it. We've now got the Netflix DVD - watching it tomorrow night. Our daughter hated it....I loved Terrence Malick's movie Thin Red Line, so am familiar with his unorthodox movie style.

No spoilers....just looking for opinions!

[HopeHoops]

1. Um, link? I don't have a clue what that's about.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. no link because I am looking for opinions from those who've seen it.

There are 66 pages of reviews on the Internet Move db - seems like zero stars, or ten stars, and little in between.

I will certainly post my view on it after tomorrow night's viewing!

[HopeHoops]

5. Okay, no spoilers, but is it worth tracking down?

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. that's what I am trying to find out! It won at Cannes...and half the audience booed and left!

[beac]

2. Hard to give a full opinion w/out mentioning spoilery stuff.

Once you've seen it, I think you'll understand.

The only un-revealing thing I can say is that I enjoyed the main story and HATED the tangents, as in almost-walked-out-of-the-theatre HATED.

[many a good man]

4. Loved it

Including the tangents. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing a movie with only the tangents! It was pretty phenomenal on the big screen.

You just have to be real patient. Rid yourself of any notions about what a movie or story is supposed to be like. Its Creation, Life, Death, people, family, self. It made my think what its probably like after you die and you reflect on your existence here on Earth as you are whisked away into the center of the Great Mystery.

[EastTennesseeDem]

6. It VERY strongly evoked 2001: A Space Odyssey

I thought it was brilliantly acted (I have never seen Pitt that good before.), beautifully filmed, and exceedingly ambitious. But some of it just did not jell, i.e. Penn's mental wandering, the origin and evolutionary vignettes, the ending...all very beautiful and dark but I don't quite know really what Malick was trying to achieve with it all.

I either loved it or hated it, but I'm not sure which.

[nolabear]

8. The 2001 thing must be deliberate because Doug Trumbull was the consultant.

I loved it. but it really takes surrender to what he was trying to do. The only thing though didn't measure up was the Sean Penn part, but even that was visually stunning and I'm in awe of the architectural play. IS God the Eternal Architect? Are we both the most and the least important things in the universe?

I think it's the heir of 2001 in many ways. And Brad Pitt is a GOD. A really scary really ordinary god.

[cyberpj]

13. "I either loved it or hated it, but I'm not sure which." I just said something just like that to

a friend after I watched it two nights ago.

After two days of it popping back into my head and continued thoughts...

I'm leaning a little more toward the loving it part.

I also agree with the poster who said Pitt was outstanding in his part.

Oh. AND the poster who said allow time to let it wash over you and drop any expectation of a 'normal' movie.

[applegrove]

9. I left after the first 10 minutes. I just didn't like the dreamlike quality of it.

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. Well, thinking that since Koyannisqatsi and Baraka are 2 of my favorite movies,

I should find something to like in it....but that's for tomorrow night.

Right now I am loving the Pats slaughtering the Tebows...er, Denver!

[knowbody0]

11. get some snacks out, and be prepared

it is work to watch, but the messages are profound and amazing to behold. it will stay with you.

[rbnyc]

12. I loved it.

I am the Director of Development for an independent community cinema. I saw it on the big screen as was very much moved by it. Some folks in the theatre fell asleep and others were mad and confused. I thought it was really beautiful.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

14. I'm more intrigued by the audience reaction than

the movie. Gonna have to see it now.

[FloridaJudy]

15. My son hated it

But then he hates most movies that don't have stuff that blows up. Or ninjas.

[REP]

16. "Badlands" is one of my favorite movies

That, plus almost anything unconventional is always worth a look in my book.

[NRaleighLiberal]

17. Well, we've watched the first half. Wow...just...wow.

we started it kind of late and were fading, but my wife and I totally "get it" and find ourselves incredibly moved.

More comments after we finish it tomorrow night - but so far, thinking it is quite great.

[Generic Brad]

18. Brad Pitt gives a good performance

It was not my favorite style of movie making, but it had it's moments.

[NRaleighLiberal]

19. with 2001, Koyaanisquatsi and Baraka among my favorite movies, this definitely fits that genre.

[NRaleighLiberal]

20. Well, we finished it. What a remarkable experience. We loved it.

The music and visuals were stunning. Provides lots to ponder.