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The reclusive Malick has attempted to create a grandiose, non-linear opus filled with symbolic imagery designed to provoke thought and debate among filmgoers, assuming everyone sticks around until the end.

Our attention is hooked when Mr. O’Brien (Pitt) and Mrs. O’Brien (Chastain) are devastated by the death of a 19-year-old son. That death haunts adult Jack (Sean Penn) and still fills him with questions about the meaning of life and faith.

The Tree of Life turns into an episode of National Geographic or NOVA as we are bombarded with vivid space imagery of the world forming. Next follows a brief installment of Jurassic Park before we get a series of Hallmark images depicting the O’Briens’ courtship and early years of their marriage.

Finally, the comprehensible part of the story takes place in a Waco, Texas neighborhood during the 1950s as young Jack (Hunter McCracken) enters adolescence with his two brothers close behind. Mr. O’Brien is a strict disciplinarian with abusive tendencies, yet he remains affectionate. Mrs. O’Brien is sometimes childlike and allows her boys to be boys. While his father is away on business, Jack becomes rebellious, so much so that he becomes a creepy, violent, borderline sociopath.

Pitt delivers the goods as he fleshes out a raw emotional range that is complimented by the sweet tenderness and vulnerability exuded by Chastain. They have terrific onscreen chemistry which they also share with the child actors. For his part, Penn stands around looking morose and he adds nothing to the film.

Except for the aforementioned 40 minutes, the film’s pacing is non-existent. While Malick’s effort may have recently won him the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival it remains a mess and fails to achieve the brilliance of say Stanley Kubrick’s films. However, don’t be surprised to hear about it having an Oscar buzz.

On a letter grade scale from “A” being excellent to “F” for failing, The Tree of Life receives a C.

The Tree of Life is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 139 minutes.

Now showing through June 30 @

Glenwood Arts
9575 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS
Visit www.fineartsgroup.com or call 913-642-4404 for more information.

Tivoli Cinemas
Westport Manor Square
4050 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO
Visit www.tivolikc.com or call 913-383-7756 for more information.

By Michael D. Smith

Indie Film Editor

Michael D. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri followed by a Master of Arts in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Inspired by such critics as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Michael started reviewing films in 1992 for College of the Ozarks's student-run newspaper. After returning to the Kansas City area in 1994, he continued film reviewing by writing for the Cass County Democrat Missourian in Harrisonville.

In 2000 Michael joined Sun Publications in Overland Park, Kansas where he served as its film critic and Arts and Entertainment Editor. During his tenure there, he was also the film critic for the "Fine Arts Radio Hour" and "Celebrity Scoop" radio shows on KXTR. After leaving the Sun in late 2002, he became the A&E writer for the Olathe News in Olathe, Kansas. He also worked as a freelance writer for The Squire in Leawood, Showcase Publishing in Lake Ozark, Missouri and the Kansas City Star.

Michael is currently a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, a professional film critic organization established in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser.