THE TREE OF LIFE
Film-maker Terrence Malick has made his first film in six years, entitled The Tree of Life. It tells the story of a man growing up in the 1950's, from newborn to grown-up – not that it matters in the trailer at all.
This trailer sweeps you away gently, with the utmost delicacy, but not for the sake of pretentiousness or a desperate desire to be taken seriously. It projects the piece quite ceremonially and has been treated with respect and sincerity. It is not harsh or condescending. It tries to be a bit mystical, quite strongly leaning on silly to be honest, but due to the subject-matter (and with no important regard to the actual development of the plot, as it is quite insignificant here) it creates a stable yet possibly a bit dangerous environment that the audience can live themselves into.
Technically, the trailer is stunning. The editing is very controlled and the shots go together very well to create little packets of joy for our enticement. The introduction of the trailer is a generic looking montage, which is generally a yawn-provoker. However, the sync line that comes in right before the first graphic becomes the montage's punchline and the whole scenario becomes both short and tight. The rest of the trailer offers no harsh transitions and takes its time to present the film to audience, giving them opportunity to digest it. Adding to this fine mixture is the music. It surrounds the viewer and provokes a sense of awe and excitement, even nostalgia.
In essence, it presents Malick's serious and meaningful style, not forgetting giving the audience a taste of the magnificent long, slow shots he is so good at creating (cf. shot of lonely boy walking on a long road with his back against the camera). It creates a sense that the film is about individuals and about the condition of being human. The many close-ups and snapshots of Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt also bring to the table the dilemma of woman versus man, the difference between genders, the understanding of each gender's identity. And the trailer lets you assume this is what you are in for. A well-done promotion indeed.
Verdict? It is a strong 8/10.
THE BEAVER
Ah, Mel Gibson! As I recall, you have done no decent acting since We Were Soldiers (which was still average) and directed no decent films since Apocalypto. Instead, you have turned yourself into a Jew-hating, racist schmuck of a fool, who has no control over his life. Or at least how it gets publicised. Don't get me wrong! This is by no means an attack on Mel. Merely an observation (an opinionated one, granted). This is Mel Gibson in potentially his last (good?) film; is this the best goodbye? Or is it a little weak?
Judging from the trailer, I would say weak.
If I have to hear another unnecessary, vile, unchallenging, uninformative, patronising voice over again, I might have to kill someone. An intriguing and quite serious subject-matter such as this one (man gets depressed after separation, finds toy beaver to deal with his emotions and speak for him – okay, it may sound a little funny when written, but it is not meant to be) should be interpreted and understood by the viewers themselves, not some dude who is reading dryly from a script some runner churned out a second ago.
And for the love of god, is this trailer just a series of gasps? A gasp-fest some might say (i.e. me)? This trailer has nothing new, original, interesting, or remotely compelling to offer and on that basis it fails. It bombs. It is practically catastrophic (yeah, I am exaggerating). The whole thing is a predictable, chronological structure that leads no where and if it lucky, might convince some middle-aged women to see it, purely for its sappiness.
No one but Mel seems to be trying to act (sorry Jodie, still love you). But could this really be the role that sees Mad Max, William Wallace, Martin Riggs fade out? It is worth a shot but I am not convinced, as per the trailer. Nothing is well presented in the edit and it really bugs me.
Verdict? Now take this 2/10 and suck on it.
THE FIGHTER
Boxing movies are awesome. Fact. They are cool. Why? Because they just are. Sometimes though, they leave a lot to be desired.
The trailer for The Fighter starts with two adult brothers (Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale) running about, being big boys, play-fighting, being common Joes, etc., etc. I had to stop the trailer. This is stinks of typical Hollywood. There is nothing wrong with it, just that I have seen it all before in so many places. And it wears me out. The rest of this unstimulating promotion displays the film as one with potential for good performances, but not much in terms of new storytelling or subject-matter.
One thing that particularly puzzled me was why this is an “incredible true story”. What is so incredible about it? It's a guy fighting for his right, for his family, for himself, for his self-discovery – obviously no other film has done that as blandly as this one before. Sheesh. The brother’s character seems far more interesting, make a movie about him instead. There is a loser I would love to know more about. The loveable character Mark Wahlberg plays is neither cute nor worth cheering for. Because who cares?
It is possibly good entertainment, but so average it bores me a bit, and the trailer does nothing to save it from itself and sell it to the audience. It is standard.
Verdict? A clear 3/10.
Louise-Afzal Faerkel
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