Best acting by Pitt ever and the kids are great, too. Malick GOT all of that stuff spot on. There is very little dialogue; the wife scarcely speaks. Unless it's her whispering existential doubts to God in the background. Sean Penn basically glowers and looks pained, and isn't present in most of the movie. Now for the bad news - much of the run time is taken up by more or less pretty, interesting pictures of celestial events (lifted from an IMAX of a few years back?) with sonorous choruses, some volcano eruption shots, some peaceful forests with -even - a fairly cute dinosaur. But all of this doesn't add up to a whom movie that matches the performance of Pitt and the incite of Malick's direction of him and the boys. It's sad. About 1 minute before the film ended when I saw it, a number of people in the audience laughed. When yet another shot of cosmic explosions appeared, someone else groaned, "Oh, God." Definitely not for kids.

This movie seems to be polarizing. Some people love it - others hate it. I found it a unique and refreshing change from most movies of the day. It tackles big questions... and doesn't entirely answer them, but perhaps that is its purpose. Some may find it pretentious, others may find it moving. Undoubtedly, after watching this film you will have an opinion. But in the midst of the viewing, take time to wrestle with the important existential questions that this film unearths. In my opinion, it is this wrestling that Terrence Malick (the director) intends to evoke. Regardless, everyone should see the movie, if only to experience a film that is a move from the ordinary.

I love to watch movies, I watch them all, foreign, independent, as well as good old american films. Now, The Tree of Life should be renamed to the Tree of Crap! This is the WORST MOVIE EVER!!!! Do not waste your time or money going to see this movie. It was extremely painful to watch. This movie is a great example of why you can not trust the critics reviews. They all raved about how great this movie is. I feel like I was tricked into spending 3 hours watching this garbage, believe me, that is exactly what this is GARBAGE!!!

" TREE OF LIFE dares to offer a divine perspective on tragedy. " writes Dr. Film (Craig Detwieler). Agree. When you see this hugely ambitious movie, you will experience wonder and brain-stretching puzzlement, but, at the last, reconciliation. The 'story' and characters are partially drawn, because this picture is about big answers to universal questions. Well, well worth it! !!!!! A wonder-filled movie.

Malick [like David Mamet] is a Director whom moviegoers either Love or Hate. This film must be viewed with an open mind. Chances are that you will note similarities to the childhoods [and Adult] lives of friends and/or relatives. And, it should make you question your own existence plus interpersonal relationships. I liked the film.