re: To the Wonder - Malick

Just got back from seeing To the Wonder. People always say Malick's flicks are tedious. I've never shared this sentiment because I've enjoyed every movie the man has made. Not this one. Hot damn it was tedious. I loved The New World and I don't need dialogue but this movie wasn't good enough to not have any; if that makes since. Of course there were great shots and great music and it was touching but it went nowhere. I came home and did some reading on it. The entire plot section on Wiki of the movie is two sentences; the movie is two hours long. Also, Jessica Chastain, Rachel Weisz, Amanda Peet, Barry Pepper and Michael Sheen were removed from the final cut. Malick staaaaaaacked, Actors fuuuuuuuucked. I'm glad I saw it and sure it's better than 90% of the filth out there but I don't plan on seeing it again and there's no rush to see it if you haven't. It's 2 hours of eye candy though. Only Malick can make an Econo Lodge and a Sonic look gorgeous.
6/10

This isn't the first time he's done that and I doubt it will be the last.

quote:

---

You think it might hinder his ability to get named actors if they keep ending up on the cutting room floor?

---

Maybe; depends on the actor. I would be honored to be filmed in a Malick flick and then cut out of the final version. Apparently some other popular actors took that risk as well.

Also, this movie is 99% voiceovers.

So I'm usually pretty rough on Malick. Mostly for Thin Red Line and New World, but....

To the Wonder was really outstanding. At least that's my 5 minute later reaction seeing, as I just finished the film.

I read some of the reviews, and wow, I think people sort of missed the point. Like major swing and a miss.

Anyways. I'm sure only BV will read this. Next in line, probably Sunday, is finally Tree of Life. Apparently, I should have watched them the other way around.

quote:

---

To the Wonder almost felt like a perfume commercial with all that narration.

---

I thought the structure was one of its strong points. I dug it. And I hated the meandering nature of Thin Red Line.

The epiphany sequence with the priest near the end is one of the most emotional scenes I've seen in any movie. The New World was my favorite Malick film until I saw To the Wonder. Great score also, liked the Richard Wagner piece. Beautiful film.