The Tree of Life poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Fiona Shaw ... see more see more... , Laramie Eppler , Tye Sheridan , Jessica Fuselier , Nicolas Gonda , William A. Wallace , Kelly Koonce , Bryce Boudoin , Jimmy Donaldson , Kameron Vaughn , Cole Cockburn , Dustin Allen , Brayden Whisenhunt , Joanna Going , Irene Bedard , Finnegan Williams , Michael Koeth , John Howell , Samantha Martinez , Savannah Welch , Tamara Jolaine , Julia Smith , Anne Nabors , Christopher Ryan , Tyler Thomas , Michael Showers , Kim Whalen , Margaret Ann Hoard , Wally Welch , Hudson Long , Michael Dixon , William Hardy , Tommy Hollis , Cooper Franklin Sutherland , John Cyrier , Erma Lee Alexander , Nicholas Yedinak , Claire Oelkers , Thomas Pavlechko

From Terrence Malick, the acclaimed director of such classic films as Badlands, Days of Heaven and The Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life is the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950's... read more read more.... The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Malick's signature imagery, we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life. -- (C) Fox Searchlight

Flixster Users

60% liked it

50,279 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

240 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 18 min.

Directed by: Terrence Malick

Release Date: May 27, 2011

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 11, 2011

Get It:

Stats: 6,416 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Brad Pitt The Tree of Life Jessica Chastain Brad Pitt The Tree of Life The Tree of Life Jessica Chastain The Tree of Life Sean Penn The Tree of Life The Tree of Life The Tree of Life The Tree of Life The Tree of Life The Tree of Life The Tree of Life The Tree of Life The Tree of Life
Upload a Photo | View All The Tree of Life Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (6,416)

  • fb701560354
    May 18, 2012
    fb701560354
    After my first viewing of The Tree of Life, I felt deeply and profoundly moved, and at the same time frustrated and annoyed. Annoyed because I didn't fully understand some of what was going on, frustrated that I didn't know who Sean Penn was, or why some of what was was shown wa... read mores in the film at all. Now, six months after my first viewing, I watched it again. This time, the film made much more sense, and I was even more deeply moved. The film changed my mood for the rest of the day, and the day after. Most people will not have the patience to sit through this impressionistic film, but for those who do, it will be a most rewarding experience like no other. In my second viewing, I had a much easier time understanding the whispered dialogue, and the cosmic montages, and had a lot more time to sit back and really enjoy the lavish and stunning cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki. The Tree of Life is a typical Terrence Malick film, but yet unlike anything you will ever experience. Second viewing will be more rewarding than the first, so the patience is extremely rewarding. Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life is nothing less than a masterpiece.
  • fb100002384654145
    May 2, 2012
    fb100002384654145
    The cinematography is great, and every scene vibrates with beautiful colors, unfortunately, director Terrence Malick seemed more interested in preaching his own personal philosophies and beliefs rather than telling a story. About 20 minutes in the movie turns into a Discovery Ch... read moreannel documentary on the beginning of the universe. This sequence goes on for 40 min. and it left my head scratching as to how it has anything to do with the family's story in the 1950's. The highly colored imagery will keep the eyes engaged, but the story is told in such a jaded and over-abstract manner that it becomes almost impossible to care because the story becomes hard to follow the more it goes along. I liked Brad Pitt but Sean Penn, who is only in the movie for a total of 10-15 minutes, looked confused like he didn't really know what was happening. I am not against abstract ways of storytelling, I actually love it when a movie experiments with less-conventional methods. However, different does not always mean good. I think the film could have benefited greatly with more conventional storytelling without sacrificing beauty or its philosophical subtext. This is a film maybe fun to debate but viewing it feels like a chore.
  • LWOODS04
    April 17, 2012
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Fiona Shaw, Joanna Going, Kari Matchett, Kimberly Whalen, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan

    Director: Terrence Malick

    Summary: Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star in Terrence Malick's 1950s adventure about a confused man name... read mored Jack, who sets off on a journey to understand the true nature of the world. Growing up in the Midwest with two brothers, Jack has always been torn between his mother's guidance to approach everything he encounters with an open heart and his father's advice to look after his own interests. Now, Jack must find a way to regain purpose and perspective.

    My Thoughts: "It's starts off like any other film.. But then it turns into a whole different film and for awhile I was confused thinking that I was watching the nature channel, maybe I had accidently turned my t.v. ... But then the actors come back in and it gets interesting again.. Don't get me wrong, the film is beautiful and well made. BUT, the film is sooo long. I mean checking the clock can you be serious it still has an hour to go long. When the actor's were on the screen they captivated me, but I was thrown off with all the nature stuff. It seemed to go on forever.. Got a bit boring. Beautiful, but boring. But I got the message and its a wonderful movie. I just wish it didn't run so long and there was more acting and character developement."
  • nadirairdiana
    April 10, 2012
    nadirairdiana
    This film should not be on in mainstream theaters, but since it's there, it would be interesting to see whether some people can stand it or not. In fact, when I am watching this, many people left the room. Some part is just a bit lengthy. It is a film that will blow your mind, in... read more the sense that you will try to find out what the film's meaning is, while maybe there's no obvious thread that could be drawn from it. However, the photography and cinematography is one of the best out there. It's about life, how the earth are created and every single thing that lives on it. An impressionistic and abstract kind of film that is philosophical and religious (on their own right). It is aesthetically compelling and Jessica Chastain stands out from the rest and play the mother really well. Terrence Malick has shown that he is a rare director in today's world.
  • fb1463751009
    March 10, 2012
    fb1463751009
    "wat"
    I get it; it's an artistic movie that gives viewers an experience of emotions, not provocative storytelling. Then again, "The Tree of Life" leans so much towards trying to be artistic that the movie is difficult to watch. "Oh, you're just like all the mindless, ADHD America... read morens that need an explosion every 5 seconds, huh?" No. If I'm gonna hafta watch a movie and then say, "Oh shoot, this is a movie that I need to focus and surgically pick out the symbolism behind every knick knack," then it ruins the experience. What I'm trying to say is that every movie needs a balance. "The Tree of Life" is bloated with art -- skimp on plot...

    What I will say that is great about the movie is how pure and focused it is in its message, theme, and tone. And though if one were to handpick out one scene, it may seem directionless and airy, the film knows what it is trying to do. Visuals are fantastic and Malick's approach to address and express huge components to human existence/life is extravagantly simple yet unlike any other movie.

    But for someone that loves artistic movies and edgy visuals, "The Tree of Life" was an absolute bore that brought no sort of fulfillment of substance to either be entertained, entranced, or moved by. It's not my type of movie. Don't hate -- I know there are going to be those much smarter and sensitive to be thrusted into its beauty and atmosphere but it's definitely not gonna be the average movie goer.
  • FilmFanatik
    March 9, 2012
    FilmFanatik
    I'll be the first to admit that Terrence Malick's work doesn't consist of the kinds of films that are meant for widespread audience appeal. His movies fall somewhere in between the middle of art house independence and narrative stories with big name stars, but the art house aspec... read moret looms over each film and semes to polarize audiences because of it. Such is the case with The Tree of Life, which when screened in public for the first time received both cheers and boos. Clearly this is another film that either you love it or hate it, and there's no in between. As for myself, I found the film to be quite mesmerizing and thought-provoking. This is a film where you have to sit and wonder what it's about, and what its message is. Personally, I think Malick's work is filled with applicablity and doesn't contain one singular message that it's trying to achieve, and that's what makes his work so engaging. It's intentional, but it won't please everyone. The biggest draw besides this being a Malick film for me was that Douglas Trumbull worked on the special effects, and a lot of them were practical. But you really have to make up your own mind about the 2001-esque beginning of life scenes interspersed with the main story thread, and how it all relates to each other. I try not to follow narrative when it comes to Malick, which is part of the reason that it took me a while to warm up to his work. Throw out any notion of entertainment value and just experience it, and think while you're experiencing it. That's the best piece of advice I can really give when it comes to his films, especially The Tree of Life. Whether or not his work is hackneyed or pretentious is totally up to you.
  • fb1664868775
    February 29, 2012
    fb1664868775
    A haunting meditation on life and death, Malick's Tree Of Life may be the most visually breathtaking film since Kubrick's 2001. The narrative is like a dream (or a nightmare), floating from memory to memory.Malick's style allows him to tell the story of a whole lifetime without ... read moresaying anything. This is one of those films that not everyone will get, but if you do get it, it will stick with you forever.
  • MovieGeek13
    February 29, 2012
    MovieGeek13
    Terrence Malick's The Tree Of Life completely redefines everything you expect a movie to be in terms of narrative, storytelling, and plot. This is a film told through the emotional states of a suburban family in the 1950s. It follows one child as he comes to understand the world ... read morethrough his parents.
    The film suggests that there are two main outlooks to life: nature and grace. Nature is to be selfish, to blame others for your shortcomings, to think of your own pleasure and your own goodwill. Grace is to accept the life that has been given to you and do your best to make it wonderful. Brad Pitt parents his children more so through nature, and Jessica Chastain parents them through grace. But this isn't just a film about growing up.
    This film ponders human life in relation to all of existence. It is as if all the millions upon millions of years that it took for life to evolve were all leading up to this moment, as if all human evolution is waited as heavy as the existence of the universe. We will continue to evolve until the end of time, and then what? The story progresses through shots of even the most insignificant of things, but it is these insignificant things that make up our humanity.
    Terrence Malick made two great films in the 1970s. He then disappeared for twenty years and from what I understand, he did a lot of traveling. Whatever he learned or discovered has been reflected deeply in his past three films, but none more so than The Tree Of Life. This is a film that reflects on growth, evolution, God, time, space, and what it means to live. It's a celebration of everything that is life, from birth to death. Because really, what is more important to you than this moment in time, and the moments about to come.
  • aSpaceCowboy
    February 26, 2012
    aSpaceCowboy
    If a movie has to be subliminal to tell a story then it's not a movie. It's a advertisement. The whole thing was basically a music video for classic music. And the first 50 minutes of the Tree of Life might as well have never existed. I understood the root of the story, but not t... read morehe overall message.
  • fb791220692
    February 25, 2012
    fb791220692
    Many will hate it, and very few will "get it" (I certainly didn't get it if there was something to get), but as an experience, The Tree of Life has some cool visuals and can best be described as "evocative." Incredibly pretentious, heavy-handed, and definitely too long, but beaut... read moreiful, emotionally resonant and well-acted nonetheless.

View All The Tree of Life Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
June 13, 2011
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Glibly put, this challenging time-skipping rumination is the big screen equivalent of watching that "Tree" grow. Full Review

Rick Groen
June 10, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The result actually plays like a divine pronouncement, cosmic in scope and oracular in tone, a cinematic sermon on the mount that shows its creator in exquisite form. Exquisite but frustrating. Full Review

Tom Long
June 10, 2011
Tom Long, Detroit News

The vision is dazzling. The portrayal of family life palpable. The ending ... well, let's go back to the vision. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
June 10, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

What a transcendent achievement. Full Review

Steven Rea
June 9, 2011
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

[It] not only aspires to change your life - it tries to explain it, from the first cosmic blip to those busy amoebae splitting and multiplying, to jellyfish jellying through the primal seas, to the pl... Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz
June 9, 2011
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

Beautiful, baffling, poetic, pretentious, it's one big ball of moviedom. Full Review

James Berardinelli
June 9, 2011
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Striving for no less than the pinnacle of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Tree of Life falls short of masterful but retains a power that far too many motion pictures lack. Full Review

Christopher Orr
June 3, 2011
Christopher Orr, The Atlantic

A beautiful, messy film: at times lyrical, intimate, and uplifting; at others, vast, inscrutable, and maddening. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
June 3, 2011
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Both good and bad, great and fatally flawed, transporting and disappointingly literal. Full Review

Wesley Morris
June 3, 2011
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

This movie weighs so much, yet contains so little. It's all vault and little coin. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • 2001: A Space Odyssey
    2001: A Space Odyssey (95%)
  • The Thin Red Line
    The Thin Red Line (92%)
  • Days of Heaven
    Days of Heaven (96%)
  • American Beauty
    American Beauty (100%)

More Movies like The Tree of Life

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
    • Mrs. O'Brien: There are two ways through life: The way of Nature, and the way of Grace. You have to choose which one you will follow.
    • R.L.: Be quiet.
    • Mr. O'Brien: It takes fierce will to get ahead in this world.
    • Jack: Brother. Mother. It was they who led me to your door.
    • Jack: Brother.
    • Mr. O'Brien: The only way to be happy is to love. Unless you love, your life will flash by.
Submit a Fact | View All

The Tree of Life : Watch Free on TV

The Tree of Life Trivia

  • In the movie "The Fountain" what happens when Hugh Jackmans character drinks from the tree of life?  Answer »
More The Tree of Life Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Tree of Life. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All The Tree of Life Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add The Tree of Life to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View The Tree of Life News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?