Filled with nostalgia, classical music, and very little
dialogue, The Tree of Life might not be the right film for everyone. But it is certainly one of the most
introspective. Directed by Terrence Malick, who also did Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line, the film depicts the
journey of life taken by the O'Brien family in a sleepy Texas town in the 1950's. Specifically, it follows the upbringing
of their eldest son, Jack, from his carefree days as a child to his disillusionment as an adult. And his attempt to
reconcile a complex relationship with his father (played by Brad Pitt) - a stern disciplinarian with many imperfections
of his own. Through the use of stunning imagery and carefully orchestrated music, Malick takes us on a beautiful voyage
of sight and sound across the universe, waxing philosophically on the meaning of life, the existence of faith, and the
passage of time. One of the best films of the year thus far, The Tree of Life is an extraordinary achievement in
storytelling that will captivate your inner sense of being.
