Wednesday 3 August 2011

The Tree of Life

Blimey, the Tree of Life, takes you through the whole of existence from the big bang to the afterlife discussing the choice between grace and nature. The film is a long discussion about the choice we have as to whether we believe in the survival of the fittest and the rules of the jungle or if we rise above that. This is explored in the lives of a Catholic family in Waco, Texas in the 1950s. The father is very strict towards his three sons and argues with the mother as a result of this. As a result the sons find it easier to have a connection with their mother. It’s a very thought provoking film that is well worth seeing although its beginning, middle and end are scattered throughout the universe. In exploring this Catholic family, who attempt to live in grace, Malick discusses the existence of God and if he does exist where is he? On reflection after seeing the film I’m reminded of the words of Philip Larkin, which I won’t repeat here. There is also the exploration of how elegant and serene planets and stars are in their sweep across the galaxy, they are indeed heavenly bodies. They do however harbour the violence of chemical explosions and predatory carnivores.

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