Terrence Malick is known for his unique way of telling a story with very powerful images. He has only made four films in his long career, but each film managed to give you a sense of awe. The way he crafts his stories is unlike anyone else working in Hollywood. His films are very deep and consist of many layers. His newest film, The Tree of Life, is being released next month and so far nothing has been let out on what this film is exactly about. We were given a trailer and a brief synopsis and the rest was for us to guess.
EW has released an exclusive clip for The Tree of Life today. It consists of a mother and her sons playing around the house after the kids find out that their dad is away. The clip flows very well thanks to steady camera work, wonderful lighting and very soothing music. You can tell what kind of relationship Malick is building between the kids and their mother. It is also clearly shown that Brad Pitt is playing a very mean father. I’m curious to see how this all ties together. Check out the official synopsis below:
We trace the evolution of an eleven-year-old boy in the Midwest, JACK, one of three brothers. At first all seems marvelous to the child. He sees as his mother does with the eyes of his soul. She represents the way of love and mercy, where the father tries to teach his son the world’s way of putting oneself first. Each parent contends for his allegiance, and Jack must reconcile their claims. The picture darkens as he has his first glimpses of sickness, suffering and death. The world, once a thing of glory, becomes a labyrinth.
From this story is that of adult Jack, a lost soul in a modern world, seeking to discover amid the changing scenes of time that which does not change: the eternal scheme of which we are a part. When he sees all that has gone into our world’s preparation, each thing appears a miracle—precious, incomparable. Jack, with his new understanding, is able to forgive his father and take his first steps on the path of life.
The story ends in hope, acknowledging the beauty and joy in all things, in the everyday and above all in the family—our first school—the only place that most of us learn the truth about the world and ourselves, or discover life’s single most important lesson, of unselfish love.
The Tree of Life stars Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain and it opens in limited release May 27th, 2011.
Head over to EW to check it out as there’s no embed code.
