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今晚與 K往 Towne Cinema 看這套故事層次頗為複雜的電影,導演把地點丶時間丶人物交叉剪貼,令我看罷也有點摸不著頭腦,所以回家後,我要查看維基百科,和搜索其它網上影評的解釋,才對故事有一個更深切的明白。如果您是年輕一代的覌众,或对養兒育女沒有實際經驗者,可能都会對這長138分鐘的影片覺得納悶。不過,無可否認,在視覺藝術來說,【生命樹】中的拍攝鏡頭丶色彩丶角度確是一流。
".... 故事開始於一個五十年代的美國中西部家庭，十一歲的積克與父母及兩兄弟同住，他似乎擁有一切美好的東西。他的母親無時無刻展露著愛與仁慈，使積克學會用心靈看到生命中璀璨光明的一面；但父親(畢彼特 飾)則告訴他現實是個適者生存的殘酷世界。雙親對兒子的教導及期望存有極大分歧，積克夾在他們之間成為磨心。其後，積克目睹病痛、苦難及死亡，令他眼中原本光明的世界變成混沌的迷宮。受到父親的影響，長大後的積克(辛潘 飾)在現代社會中迷失了自我，他不斷尋覓出路與答案。...."
Source: 觀看這個精彩的 MSN 影片: 《生命樹》(The Tree of Life) 電影製作特輯(1) - The Story
".... The Tree of Life is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick, and starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain. Malick's film chronicles the origins and meaning of life through the eyes of a 1950s Texas family, while also featuring themes and imagery through space and the birth of life on Earth. After decades in development and missed 2009 and 2010 release dates, the film premiered in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Palme d'Or. Many reviews praised the film for its technical and artistic merits, but there were also negative reactions in response to Malick's directorial style and, in particular, with the film's fragmented and non-linear narrative.
Plot
The film opens with a quotation from the Book of Job, when God asks, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation...while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" A mysterious, wavering light that resembles a flame emerges. The image is Thomas Wilfred's "Opus 161" from the collection of Eugene and Carol Epstein of Los Angeles, CA.[2] The film cuts to Mrs. O'Brien (Jessica Chastain) as she receives a telegram informing her of her son's death at age 19. Mr. O'Brien (Brad Pitt) is notified by telephone. The family is thrown into a world of grief as they try to cope in their tidy suburban home.
Jack O'Brien (Sean Penn) is adrift in his modern life as an architect. On the phone with his father, he confesses that he thinks about his dead brother every day. When he sees a tree being planted in front of a building, he begins the central reminiscence of the film.
The film cuts to a dramatization of the formation of the universe. As the galaxies expand and planets are formed, Jack's voice is heard asking various existential questions. At other points in the film, these questions and observations are voiced by other members of his family, as well as his younger self. On the newly formed Earth, volcanoes erupt and microbes begin to form. Eventually, the camera settles on a beach, where it reveals an Elasmosaurus lying with a fatal gash on its side. In a forest, a young Parasaurolophus is wary of predators. Later on a riverbank, the Parasaurolophus lies wounded. A Troodon emerges and examines the wounded dinosaur. The Troodon places its foot on the Parasaurolophus neck, preparing for the kill, but then reconsiders as he watches it struggle against him. The predator wanders off.
In a sprawling neighborhood in Waco, Texas, the O'Briens are reintroduced, living in a different, much older home. The young couple are enthralled by baby Jack, and his two brothers quickly follow, as their family grows. The film settles on the family as Jack (Hunter McCracken) reaches adolescence. Mr. O'Brien struggles to balance his sense of paternal duty with the overwhelming love he has for his sons. He is stern and borderline abusive, while also deeply affectionate and nurturing. In contrast, Mrs. O'Brien is childlike and empathetic, having a more permissive attitude towards her sons.
Mr. O'Brien covets wealth and regrets failing to become a great musician. He files patents for various inventions, but doesn't get any lasting endeavor off the ground. At one point, he takes a trip around the world trying to sell his inventions. While he is away, the boys enjoy unfettered access to their mother, and Jack experiences the first twinges of rebelliousness. Goaded by other boys his age, Jack commits acts of vandalism and animal abuse. He later trespasses into a neighbor's house, and looks at her underwear. Jack is confused by his experiments with violence.
Mr. O'Brien's plant closes, and he is forced to relocate the family. He reconciles with Jack, asking forgiveness for his harsh treatment of him.
The film returns to the adult Jack, who is walking on rocky terrain. He tentatively walks through a wooden door frame which is erected on the rocks. On a sandbar, Jack is reunited with his family and all the people who populate his memory. His father is happy to see him. His mother is overjoyed when Jack's memory resurrects his dead brother. She thanks Jack, kissing his arm twice. The film ends with the same mysterious, wavering light from the opening. ..."
Plot
The film opens with a quotation from the Book of Job, when God asks, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation...while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" A mysterious, wavering light that resembles a flame emerges. The image is Thomas Wilfred's "Opus 161" from the collection of Eugene and Carol Epstein of Los Angeles, CA.[2] The film cuts to Mrs. O'Brien (Jessica Chastain) as she receives a telegram informing her of her son's death at age 19. Mr. O'Brien (Brad Pitt) is notified by telephone. The family is thrown into a world of grief as they try to cope in their tidy suburban home.
Jack O'Brien (Sean Penn) is adrift in his modern life as an architect. On the phone with his father, he confesses that he thinks about his dead brother every day. When he sees a tree being planted in front of a building, he begins the central reminiscence of the film.
The film cuts to a dramatization of the formation of the universe. As the galaxies expand and planets are formed, Jack's voice is heard asking various existential questions. At other points in the film, these questions and observations are voiced by other members of his family, as well as his younger self. On the newly formed Earth, volcanoes erupt and microbes begin to form. Eventually, the camera settles on a beach, where it reveals an Elasmosaurus lying with a fatal gash on its side. In a forest, a young Parasaurolophus is wary of predators. Later on a riverbank, the Parasaurolophus lies wounded. A Troodon emerges and examines the wounded dinosaur. The Troodon places its foot on the Parasaurolophus neck, preparing for the kill, but then reconsiders as he watches it struggle against him. The predator wanders off.
In a sprawling neighborhood in Waco, Texas, the O'Briens are reintroduced, living in a different, much older home. The young couple are enthralled by baby Jack, and his two brothers quickly follow, as their family grows. The film settles on the family as Jack (Hunter McCracken) reaches adolescence. Mr. O'Brien struggles to balance his sense of paternal duty with the overwhelming love he has for his sons. He is stern and borderline abusive, while also deeply affectionate and nurturing. In contrast, Mrs. O'Brien is childlike and empathetic, having a more permissive attitude towards her sons.
Mr. O'Brien covets wealth and regrets failing to become a great musician. He files patents for various inventions, but doesn't get any lasting endeavor off the ground. At one point, he takes a trip around the world trying to sell his inventions. While he is away, the boys enjoy unfettered access to their mother, and Jack experiences the first twinges of rebelliousness. Goaded by other boys his age, Jack commits acts of vandalism and animal abuse. He later trespasses into a neighbor's house, and looks at her underwear. Jack is confused by his experiments with violence.
Mr. O'Brien's plant closes, and he is forced to relocate the family. He reconciles with Jack, asking forgiveness for his harsh treatment of him.
The film returns to the adult Jack, who is walking on rocky terrain. He tentatively walks through a wooden door frame which is erected on the rocks. On a sandbar, Jack is reunited with his family and all the people who populate his memory. His father is happy to see him. His mother is overjoyed when Jack's memory resurrects his dead brother. She thanks Jack, kissing his arm twice. The film ends with the same mysterious, wavering light from the opening. ..."
(Source: Wikipedia / http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Life_(film) )
8 comments:
I watched it, too, and may do it again. I think the v.o. by different characters (Mr. O'Brien, Mrs. O'Brien, Jack and young Jack) are the bridges of thoughts of the director, the writer, Terrence Malick.
I haven't watched it...but read about the review. Have to find the DVD and time to watch it.
看來是套可堪咀嚼的影片,
但唔覺香港有上演,
讓我找找看先。
Wordy: I think I will need to watch it a second time and listen more carefully to catch those thoughts !!
啤酒花™_J: Please tell me what you think, if and when you have a chance to watch it. Thx !!
新鮮人: 這套電影可堪咀嚼,但也可令人摸不著頭腦!
UPDATED 20110724:
I just posted two more pics:
#1: The top photo shows the father fascinating with his new-born.
(cont'd from my comments above)
Bottom Photo #2:
In the movie, it is not exactly clear which son died at age 19 while serving the military. I believe it was R.L. (and not Steve), played by young actor Laramie Eppler on the right.
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