Malick creates a heavenly masterpiece with ‘Tree of Life’
BY JOE WILLIAMS • Post-Dispatch Film Critic • joewilliams@post-dispatch.com • Jun 10, 2011
Tag: 2011
‘Who do you love most?’ ‘I love you all three the same.’ – The Tree of Life (2011)
Young Jack (Whispers): Mother.
Make me good.
Brave.
Mother: …against the Panther, and they went off to look for Kaa the Rock Python.
They found him and stretched out on a warm ledge in the afternoon sun, admiring his beautiful new coat.
Son: Who do you love most?
Mother: I love you all three the same.
R.L.: Tell us a story from before we can remember.
Mother: Went for a ride on an airplane once. It was a graduation present.
Young Jack (Whispers): Mother.
Make me good.
Brave.
‘I feel like I’m bumping into walls’ – The Tree of Life (2011)
Adult Jack: When you’re young, it’s all about your career.
Adult Jack: When you’re young, it’s all about your career.
You don’t understand anything.
I just feel like I’m bumping into walls.
‘Do you love your father?’ – The Tree of Life (2011)
Son? Reach me my lighter.
Mother: Mr. Reese liked Jack’s book report —
Father: What is that, sweetheart?
Mother: –and wanted him to make a model.
Father (Dramatic orchestra music): You know this? Brahms.
Father: Son?
Jack: Sir?
Father: Reach me my lighter.
Haven’t you forgotten somethin’?
Do you love your father?
Jack: Yes, sir.
‘The minute you see him blink, crack him, okay?’ – The Tree of Life (2011)
Mr. O’Brien: You act like you’re in trouble. You don’t wanna fight. Nah. You don’t want any trouble. The minute you see him blink, crack him, okay?
Mr. O’Brien (To Jack):
You act like you’re in trouble. You don’t wanna fight. Nah. You don’t want any trouble. The minute you see him blink, crack him, okay?
Okay. Okay? Come on. Three-quarters. Cover. You’re going to cover, right? Okay. Hit it. Come on.
Nice. Nice. Harder. Nice. That’s a good right. Let’s see your left.
That’s the most important thing, okay? You come in this way?
You come in this way. You keep the guard up. Hit me! Come on, hit me.
Come on! Come on, Jack! Hit me. Hit me. Hit me. Come on. Come on.
Here. Here it is. Here it is. Hit it. Come on, Son! Come on! Son.
Left. What are you doing?
Dust yourself off.
Mr. O’Brien (To R.L.): Left. Don’t leave your tongue out. You’re gonna lose it.
Left. Left. Right. Right.
Left. Harder. Harder. Harder! Come on, hit me. Hit me.
Come on, Son. Hit it. Give me something. Show me what you got.
Come on. Go on.
The Family, United – The Tree of Life (2011)
Final Scene – The Tree of Life (2011)
Eight years ago today: The Tree of Life premieres at Cannes (May 16, 2011)
On this day, May 16, 2011 – The Tree of Life Premiered at The Cannes Film Festival in France.
Read some of the initial reviews of Terrence Malick’s masterpiece.
‘You turned my own kids against me’ – The Tree of Life (2011)
“For the next half hour, will you not not speak unless you have something important to say?”
—
“What’d you do today my fine feathered friend?”
—
“Sit on the front inches of your chair. It’s better for your posture. I read that in the paper.”
—
“Did you actually buy this from Mr. Ledbetter? Don’t explain, just nod yes or no…hmm?”
—
“You turned my own kids against me. You undermine everything I do.”
– Mr. O’Brien
The Tree of Life Full Press Conference – Cannes Film Festival 2011
“(Malick) sees himself, I believe I can speak for him, as building a house. I don’t know why it’s accepted that people who make things in our business are then expected to sell them. I don’t think it computes with him.”
“He wants to focus on the making of and not the selling of the real estate. It is an odd thing for an artist to sculpt something and then be salesman.” – Brad Pitt on the absence of Terrence Malick at The Tree of Life Cannes Premiere.
“(Malick) sees himself, I believe I can speak for him, as building a house. I don’t know why it’s accepted that people who make things in our business are then expected to sell them. I don’t think it computes with him.“
“He wants to focus on the making of and not the selling of the real estate. It is an odd thing for an artist to sculpt something and then be salesman.” – Brad Pitt on the absence of Terrence Malick at The Tree of Life Cannes Premiere.
“I think to his mind the most sincere gesture he could make to the audience is to let the audience interpret it as they will, each on their own individually. And any influence on that corrupts the process.” Dede Gardner on Terrence Malick’s absence at the Cannes Film Festival.
Jessica Chastain Exclusive Interview – The Tree of Life
An exclusive interview with actress Jessica Chastain who played Mrs. O’Brien in The Tree of Life (2011).
