Another Anonymous Rave For Malick's TREE OF LIFE, And Talk Of An October Release Date!

Beaks here...

Right now, the biggest mystery surrounding Terrence Malick's TREE OF LIFE is no longer what it's about, but when it'll get released. Considering that the film appears to be very nearly completed (it's already received a PG-13 from the MPAA), a late 2010 berth seems entirely plausible. But others, most notably New York Film Festival selection committee member Todd McCarthy, believe Malick and struggling distributor Apparition might hold off until Cannes 2011 - all because the film failed to make the '10 NYFF deadline. I've heard nothing reliable about the release date, but I don't understand why it has to be a festival film. Malick's last two movies - THE NEW WORLD and THE THIN RED LINE - skipped all of the major festivals in favor of late-December releases. And while it'd be nice to see Malick return to Cannes for the first time since winning Best Director for DAYS OF HEAVEN, there's always the risk that some of the more influential critics (yes, a few still exist) might not like/get the movie - which would damage Apparition's ability to sell TREE OF LIFE as an awards picture. This is why I think TREE OF LIFE should receive its surprise premiere this month at Fantastic Fest, where it'll be viewed by an enthusiastic crowd unconcerned with year-end awards (worked for Paul Thomas Anderson and THERE WILL BE BLOOD)! And this leads us to a Home Theater Forum post from "24fpssean", which was called to my attention by the estimable Rebecca Keegan (who found it via The Film Stage). This guy seems to think the film could receive an October release - which would be a great way to capitalize on the buzz from Fantastic Fest. As for why I'm assuming the film will be enthusiastically received, well, read 24fpssean's brief reaction to the movie (which he likely saw down in Austin, where Malick has been based)...

Saw TREE OF LIFE the other night at work and it really is amazing. Hypnotic, more like. I won't give anything about it away here, but yes it is long and there has already been talk in the news about Malick releasing it, then re-cutting it, then re-releasing it, etc. The main bulk of the film is about his childhood growing up in Texas (reels 3-7 out of 9!). The "creation" footage is outstanding, absolutely jawdropping, and does indeed feel like 2001 - a lot of the effects are practical and your eyes can see that, which makes it really fascinating to watch. I don't have a problem with the creation footage being connected to his boyhood, after all, most boys love dinosaurs, so that's how I looked at it. The story is framed around the death of his middle brother (in Korea?? We never know) and is a reflection on the circle of life, the evolution of life out of the mess of the Big Bang, but also about life itself (the strained relationship with his severe father, a stunning performance by Brad Pitt, just stunning), and the end of the Universe. I still haven't given anything away that hasn't already been said in the press. The film just has to be seen to be believed! One feels like a child again, seeing the world through young wide eyes. Yes, it is finished! I believe it releases in October but it may be a limited release. And yes again it's about 3 hours! There is talk of a cut down version, which Malick did for New World as well, but nothing confirmed.

Not like my expectations can get any higher. If this does actually screen at Fantastic Fest, I will be forced to destroy so many people.