To the Wonder

To the Wonder
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Terrence Malick [IMDB]

I was planning on checking out and reviewing this film opening day (last Friday), but I got a little side tracked. Well... not really a little side tracked, but a lot of side tracked. My appendix ruptured and I had to have some pretty intense surgery that left me out of the reviewing game for a short spell. Now I'm back home recouping and due to the magic of VOD, I don't have to leave my house (which sucks in my current condition) to knock back a new review of the master's (Terrence Malick) newest installment... To the Wonder.

Synopsis: Ben Affleck falls in love in Paris with a woman who he brings back to Oklahoma and make his happily wedded wife.

I would consider Terrence Malick one of the greatest directors living today... especially in the art-house genre. I've seen every one of his films and pretty much loved each of them. To the Wonder, for me, was one of the biggest must see films in the 2013 bracket. Now with all that said, where does this film stand?

Right after I finished it I thought... hmmm... 4 stars? It was everything you'd want Malick to throw up on screen. Beautiful narration, seemingly flawless cinematography, and inspired locations that feel untraveled by other auteurs. Still something felt a little lost on me. It seemed to play its hand for a while and I felt myself disconnecting with the film from time to time.

After finishing it, I got online, dorked around a bit, and then decided to bang out this review. I sat here and thought how I'd like to approach my review, what things disappointed me... then I realized I couldn't think of anything. Beside the pacing issue I mentioned, it's perfect. There are scenes in this film that make me feel something for life and humanity. I wanted to travel through the same grassy fields and stare at the same wildebeests. It was really gorgeous and pure.

Malick is an artist that I think most people either love or don't care about. His cinematic voice is a strong one, which can't be denied. Even if you didn't like this film, I think you could appreciate it's integrity.