Ben Affleck plays a disenchanted American visiting Paris. He falls in love with Olga Kurlyenko, and asks her and her daughter to join him in the midwest part of the United States, until an old flame (Rachel McAdams) complicates his new relationship. Meanwhile, the pastor of all three's church, Javier Bardem, faces his own demons.
There is no other rating to give this film besides "five". "Five" suggests that half of people will love it, half will hate it. The audience I saw the film with confirms this; half boos and half standing ovation. Perhaps "half" is the best word to use to describe what I viewed. It seems that half of Terrence Malick's most recent offering ended up on the cutting room floor.
It is difficult to gauge a performance from a Terrence Malick art film, as acting doesn't seem to be a big part. Instead, the actors are mixed with the cinematography (which is unquestionably stunning here) and drawn-out music. It leaves a less experienced or adaptable actor in the dark as to what they should be doing with their roles.
Bardem's role here is the most unconnected, and the least interesting, though his is probably the best performance. The script here seemed to just be gaining track when it introduced his character, and other involved with him. It didn't click with this viewer.
Actors like Rachel Weisz, Martin Sheen, and Jessica Chastain were cast in this film and their scenes were shot before whatever their part of the story was cut entirely from the end result. If there were more diversity here, perhaps it would be that more enjoyable.
Overall, "To the Wonder" is a wondrous, mysterious film brimming with a brooding drama unique to this director's sort of film. If you enjoyed "The Tree of Life", there would be little else or more for you to enjoy here.
There is no other rating to give this film besides "five". "Five" suggests that half of people will love it, half will hate it. The audience I saw the film with confirms this; half boos and half standing ovation. Perhaps "half" is the best word to use to describe what I viewed. It seems that half of Terrence Malick's most recent offering ended up on the cutting room floor.
It is difficult to gauge a performance from a Terrence Malick art film, as acting doesn't seem to be a big part. Instead, the actors are mixed with the cinematography (which is unquestionably stunning here) and drawn-out music. It leaves a less experienced or adaptable actor in the dark as to what they should be doing with their roles.
Bardem's role here is the most unconnected, and the least interesting, though his is probably the best performance. The script here seemed to just be gaining track when it introduced his character, and other involved with him. It didn't click with this viewer.
Actors like Rachel Weisz, Martin Sheen, and Jessica Chastain were cast in this film and their scenes were shot before whatever their part of the story was cut entirely from the end result. If there were more diversity here, perhaps it would be that more enjoyable.
Overall, "To the Wonder" is a wondrous, mysterious film brimming with a brooding drama unique to this director's sort of film. If you enjoyed "The Tree of Life", there would be little else or more for you to enjoy here.