The Tree of Life (2011)

DVD CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  139 Minutes (Extended Cut: 189 Minutes) 

Rated: 12A  

Genre: Drama, Fantasy

Director: Terrence Malick

Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan, Fiona Shaw

IMDB Rank: 6.8 /10

Part 1 Time:  69 Minutes (Extended Cut:  N/A Minutes) 

Part 2 Time:  70 Minutes (Extended Cut:  N/A Minutes) 

Where does the first part end? Mr. O’Brien (Brad Pitt) puts Young Jack (Hunter McCracken) to bed. An empty attic with a window is then shown.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “The navy said an officer must be present for the laying of the keel but… not at the launching,” states Mr. O’Brien as he leaves Young Jack’s room.

First line of dialogue on the second part: School children run to school as the bell dings. Dialogue follows in the next scene within the classroom as the teacher conducts a spelling test. “The next word is ‘volcano,'” states the teacher.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, the O’Briens appear to be a standard American middle-class family. Young Jack is beginning to notice a major contrast of both personality and parenting styles of Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien. This difference has brought tension within the household, exposing deep cracks within the family dynamics.

Which part is better? The film explores the concepts of grief and generational trauma. The protagonist Jack (Sean Penn) is traumatized by his childhood as he is conflicted by the contrast teachings of his mother (forgiving/ nurturing) and father (tough/stern). The second part of the film is better as the contrasts in parenting styles become apparent and Jack begins to sort through is confusion and emotions.

Academy Awards: 2012- Best Picture (Nominated), Best Director (Nominated), Best Cinematography (Nominated)

Other Awards: 2011 Palme d’Or (Winner)