The Tree of Life (2011)
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The film chronicles the origins and meaning of life through the lens of a man's childhood memories and the vast history of the universe.
The story
The film follows the members of the O'Brien family in the 1940s–1960s and 2010. Most of the film takes place in the 1950s, but the film jumps between different narratives. The O'Briens appear to be a standard American middle-class suburban family. Mr. O'Brien is a successful engineer for an energy company, but has enough free time to indulge his love of music. Mrs. O'Brien is a housewife with many friends in the neighborhood. They have three healthy boys, Jack, R.L., and Stevie. However, the film reveals deep cracks behind the facade, which leave Jack traumatized for decades.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows the O'Brien family in 1950s Texas, where Mr. O'Brien is a successful engineer and Mrs. O'Brien is a housewife. The narrative intersperses their lives with imagery of the universe's creation. In the 1960s, the family is devastated by the death of their son R.L. In 2010, Jack, a weary architect, struggles with his father's grief. The film explores the 'way of nature' (represented by the father) and the 'way of grace' (represented by the mother). As Jack grows older, he faces a crisis of faith following a friend's death and rebels against his father's discipline. In 2010, Jack experiences a vision of the future and a spiritual reunion with his family and the deceased. The film concludes with Jack finding peace as his mother's voice offers a final blessing.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 138
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Terrence Malick
- Writers
- Terrence Malick · writer
- Cast and characters
- Brad Pitt · Mr. O'Brien; Sean Penn · Jack; Jessica Chastain · Mrs. O'Brien; Hunter McCracken · young Jack; Laramie Eppler · R.L. O'Brien; Tye Sheridan · Steve O'Brien
- Genres
- epic; experimental; coming-of-age; drama
- Themes
- nature and grace; grief; theodicy; origins of the universe; father-son relationships
- Tone and mood
- experimental; dreamlike; metaphysical
- Premise and plot tags
- non-linear narrative; spiritual; historical; cosmic
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim and was highly decorated, winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes. It was widely praised for its visual beauty and spiritual depth, though some critics found it slow or self-absorbed.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 85 · scale: 100 · review count: 50
- Awards and nominations
- FIPRESCI Big Prize · Best Film of the Year · 2011 · Win; Gotham Award · Best Feature · 2011 · Win; Academy Award · Best Picture · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The production team screened over 10,000 Texas students for the roles of the three brothers.; The title refers to a large live oak tree excavated from a property near Smithville.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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