Tree Of Life

1. Describe- The Tree of Life is a film directed by Terrence Malick which examines the meaning of existing and the beginnings of life. The film stars Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, and Jessica Chastain. The majority of movie is set in 1950s Texas but we are taken to several time periods throughout the film.

2, Analyze- The Tree of Life was a very abstract and existentialist film. The movie first opened with a quote from the Book of Job and then the audience was then introduced to the O'Brien family (who were the focus of our film). The first event the audience witnesses with the family is the death of a son at the age of 19. I assumed from the telegraph that it was possible he was killed in service with the army. Throughout the movie through the audience is exposed to very elaborate imagery (most often representing the beginning of time and the universe) and we often her the main characters Jack O'Brien, Mr. O'Brien, and Mrs. O'Brien asking very existential questions as their evaluate their lives, the lives of their family and neighbors, and why certain happen to people.

3. Interpret- I believe the director chose to have his film produced in an abstract way because the meaning of life and the evaluation of life are two very abstract and existential concepts. The film was very thought provoking and often proposed very secular themes to the audience. The film definitely has more than one meaning and more than one theme.  All of the images and stories found in the film either dealt with living life, consequences of living your life a certain way, the value of life, and how emotions (both ours and of those around us) affect how we live. The story also examines how the death of a loved one and cause someone to reminisce over the lost family members life.

4. Evaluate- Personally, The Tree of Life was not my cup of tea. I appreciated the overall messages of the film however, I felt as though there was a lot of dead footage in the film. For example, there was about 15 or so minutes of (what seemed to me) random music and imagery. I felt as though that part could have been a tad less expansive and long. However, there were many images as well as themes that appealed to me, but I did feel as though the movie had a lot of miscellaneous scenes that could have been left out.