Can't really disagree. I rarely long anticipate movies, but this one I had really looked forward to (even after the disappointment of To the wonder) for well over a year. The story had so much potential. I appreciate the style/method (no script) Malick is trying to put forward, but I'd have rather seen this as a more traditional narrative....a rise, fall and redemption with dialogue and action....I'd like to have seen the Tarot in more depth too.
There were good things about it, but overall it felt empty and repetitive. The trailer did sum up the movie basically. We are just thrown into Rick's world as he is ascending to the top...but we don't see any struggle, luck, or journey getting there. He's not happy, but he doesn't exactly hit rock bottom either...we assume he finds his path again at the end, but we don't even really see him happy about it.
I liked Tree of Life. It was new, daring, refreshing, ambitious, beautiful to look at. I could relate to the boys growing up. To the wonder was a let down, particularly Affleck's side of the story. KOC just feels like more of the same thing. Even though I familiarized myself with some of the philosophy/literature that influenced the film and have a decent understanding of the Tarot meanings prior to seeing the film, it wasn't enough to make it really enjoyable. I didn't hate it, but not sure I'd want to sit through it again. I'm glad I saw it, but even though I was prepared to be let down and bored and lowered my expectations, there wasn't much upside from that.
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StunDamage
8 years ago
Expecting traditional narrative from Malick is a waste at this point, To the Wonder basically set the tone for the latter part of his carrer. Not that this style is anything new to him; it's just a continuation of the long lyrical sequences which can be traced as far back as A Thin Red Line, except now it is fullblown. Really, one should know what to expect by now. Considering how you feel about To the Wonder and this movie, you should problably stay clear of his upcoming movies. Or at least try not to have high expectations.
I don't consider it a bad thing. Traditional storytelling is everywhere. Impessionism, however, is rather thin on the ground. And we want all types of art represented, don't we?
Now, I didn't like Knight of Cups all that much either, but for entirely different reasons. It's not like the movie is trying to tell a story or show a struggle and fails at that. It doesn't even try; the point is in painting an emotional landscape. Impressionism is a genre, you can't criticize it for what it is. If it is good at being an impressionist montage is an entirely different matter altogether. It is also the only semi-objective way to judge the film.
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