The Tree of Life

This may be the most Malickian of Terrence Malick movies. The first 45 minutes of this (long) film are utter bullshit--a barrage of half-baked "grand vision" executed through weird, impressionistic story set-up, a stock footage festival that comes across as outtakes from 2001 and Jurassic Park, and a preposterous set of scenes showing Sean Penn doing nothing except brooding. (He does little more throughout his scenes in the movie.) The last 15 minutes almost replicates that first 45. So, bad movie, right? Well...in fact, the middle section of the film, a substantially more straightforward telling of a family's story (featuring a great performance from Brad Pitt) is fascinating, almost mesmerizing film making. Is it a yes or a no? I can't say; it depends on your tolerance for overly artistic vision. If you're at home in the art house, go for it. If you prefer the googolplex, maybe stay away. Your call.