The Tree Of Life

The Tree of Life is an upcoming movie currently set for release sometime in 2010 and written and directed by Terrence Malick and starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478304/ no actual date has been set for the US but dates ranging from May to December have been set in a few other countries. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478304/releaseinfo

The story is set in the Midwest and begins in the 1950’s with an 11 year old boy named Jack who is growing up and experiencing life with his brothers. Initially we view Jack as he sees the world through his own eyes but with the viewpoint of the eyes of the soul as his mother does. His mother teaches him the way of mercy and love but his father gives him lessons in the way of the world which stresses that one’s self should be considered first. The viewpoint changes and begins to darken as Jack gets his first glimpses of suffering, sickness and death. http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/movie/tree-of-life Surrounding the story of Jack the child is that of Jack the adult who is a soul who is lost and seemingly unable to fit in. He must find his way among the changing scenes that are time and the modern world. Jack begins to learn all the preparation that has gone into the world and discovers the precious miracles of life. His understanding of this leads him to be able to forgive his father and begin to follow his own path. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478304/

The ending acknowledges that it is possible to find beauty and joy in all things especially in the course of everyday life and the learning of how to deal with the world through our family. It also shows that unselfish love could be a very important lesson in learning how to live. http://www.movieweb.com/movie/FIE9kKJIHWlMIJ/synopsis

• Brad Pitt - Mr. O'Brien

• Sean Penn - Adult Jack

• Joanna Going - Jack's Wife

• Fiona Shaw - Grandmother

• Jackson Hurst - Uncle Ray

• Jessica Chastain - Mrs. O'Brien

• Kimberly Whalen - Mrs. Brown

• Chris Orf - Mr. Bates

• Michael Showers - Mr. Brown

• Erinn Allison - Mrs. Bates

• Zach Irsik - Jack's Son