DVD Reviews

The Tree of Life - Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Nov 2, 2011, 15:09 GMT

THE STORY CENTERS AROUND A FAMILY WITH THREE BOYS IN THE 1950S. THE ELDEST SON WITNESSES THE LOSS OF INNOCENCE. ...more

Terrence Malick is a director who weaves a visual tapestry and that is certainly true of his latest effort.  Although this effort is certainly to have people taking sides as the images may be beautiful but the narrative is not for everyone.  

The Tree of Life begins at the beginning of time, but pauses to contemplate the childhood of Jack O’Brien (Hunter McCracken) in Waco, Texas.  Jack lives with his dad (Brad Pitt), mother (Jessica Chastain), and brothers R.L. (Laramie Eppler) and Steve (Tye Sheridan). 

Jack’s mother is a free spirit and nurturing where his father is strict and authoritative.  We even continue our trek to Jack’s (Sean Penn) future and maybe even his afterlife.  

I guess I’m a bit deranged since parts of watching Tree of Life reminded me of a scene in Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.  Some dastardly organ collector’s want to take a lady’s liver so they show her a song and dance about how large and overwhelming the universe is so that she’ll feel so insignificant that she’ll happily volunteer her organ. 

Well, she did sign up for that organ donor card after all.  Seriously folks, Tree of Life is full of some eye-popping visuals since Malick brings the history of the planet into the more personal, perhaps autobiographical, story of Jack.  We may not know about the autobiographical part since Malick is notoriously silent about his personal life.

He, however, is no stranger to breathtaking, beautiful imagery and Tree of Life is full of that.  His trip through time is full of gorgeous imagery and special effects.  It is a non-linear tale that is sure to divide audiences. 

I got caught up in the beautiful images as well as being intrigued by the storyline.  Pitt plays dear old dad as loving, but bordering on abusive.  

We later come to learn that it is more that dad does love his kids but he is a man who thought he was destined for greater things only to find that he is pushed down by life - much like humanity’s place in an ever-expanding universe (Monty Python again). 

The film is lyrical and mysterious, qualities that some people will interpret as slow and confusing.  

The Tree of Life is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (1.85:1).  Special features are in high definition and include the 30 minute “Exploring the Tree of Life” making of and the 2 minute theatrical trailer.  Disc two is a DVD copy and the third disc is a digital copy.  

The Tree of Life is certainly going to divide audiences.  Many may not like the non-linear narrative, but film students always look forward to another entry from the reclusive Malick (maybe not so much anymore since he’s got another film in the pipeline).  It’s a visually arresting experience that you should at least try.