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| Javier Bardem and Ben Affleck |
Malick's "To the Wonder" lacks wonder and vision
Terrence Malick's new drama "To the Wonder" is a handsomely shot, well-acted often lyrical but unconventional and largely unsatisfying film about the nature of relationships. The movie tells the story of Marina ("Oblivion's" Olga Kurylenko) and Neil (Ben Affleck), who meet in France and move to Oklahoma to start a life together, where problems soon arise. While Marina makes the acquaintance of a priest and fellow exile (Javier Bardem), who is struggling with his vocation, Neil renews a relationship with a childhood sweetheart, Jane (Rachel McAdams). Malick's "To the Wonder" is a seemingly experimental film as he often gave his actors free reign to explore without the normal cinematic conventions of a script and lighting. The end result is a beautifully shot but uneven and unfocused, rambling film that lacks the effectiveness of some of his previous efforts. Shot in France and Oklahoma, Malick unsurprisingly makes nice use of the locals but his actors don't always live up to his vision; Kurylenko in particular is flat though stunningly beautiful; McAdams and Affleck make for a nice pairing but they're given little to do. Malick's unconventional methods don't always appeal to everyone (I'm not a huge fan), and this is a weaker effort than say "The Tree of Life" or "The Thin Red Line." Malick's fans will no doubt be pleased with the slow-moving and handsomely photographed "To the Wonder," but it could've been much more satisfying.
Wes's Grade: C+
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