Well, obviously that’s a subjective issue, but the question would be whether Malick’s cinema supports the kind of sensual-poetic-philosophic yearning expressed in those lines. For the most part, I’d say yes, but then again I don’t recall the line to which we are referring.
The line is in the trailer, and for all I know may not make it into the final film, but it does seem to illustrate one of Malick’s big problems — the heavy-handed blatant quality of his words as opposed to the sheer beauty of his imagery.
You know who else used heavy-handed blatant words? Fassbinder. Bergman.
And Shakespeare, and Whitman, and Dickens, and lots of great artists. The difference being that their use of those words doesn’t usually annoy the way Malick’s use does.
Malicks writing never annoys me. I find it fascinating the way he makes movies — shoot, shoot, shoot, then make a movie in the editing room using V.O. It’s refreshing. There isn’t another filmmaker who would be awarded this luxury.
Also, I love them “Father, Mother, why must you wrestle inside me” line because I think it really illustrates what the film is trying to get across. The hard as nails father trying to make his sons into men and the graceful mother who just wants her sons to be sweet boys. That’s basically all I know about the plot, and really, all anyone knows, so I think it works.
Malick needs a writer or a co-writer at least
Why?
I’m with Kasman here – why?
Malick is one of the most unique American directors that we’ve ever had. I want him to remain as he is, “flaws” intact.
“Well, up to a point, I agree, but there’s a line between sincerity and just plain bad faux-poetic overwrought writing, and I think Malick crosses it with “Father! Mother! Always you wrestle inside me!”
Yep. Don’t get me wrong, I’m obviously a fan of Malick, but hopefully when I see the film and it is put into context, this line won’t come across as cheesy and as Blue K. said, unintentional self-parody. I’ve never been annoyed by his writing before, but this line really just came across as more humorous than anything.
Anyway, this is still the film I’m most looking forward to next year. I get to see this trailer in all its glory before Black Swan on Saturday night, so color me excited.
Mallick’s “flaws” are the pinnacles of lesser directors artistic endeavors. If you want heavy handed dialogue, Bergman has more than enough to spare. As a fan of both, my point is that it’s possible to be both brilliant and imperfect.
Since folks keep bringing up Bergman, I’ll say that I’ve always wondered how much of the heavy-handedness of Bergman’s dialogue comes from unfortunate subtitle translations. I get that with Tarkovsky, too: why don’t these people speak like human beings?
Of course, they needn’t speak like human beings necessarily. But silliness like the quoted line from what is, after all, just a trailer sounds just plain mawkish.
If I were a ghetto black guy I would have to say, “Malick iz da shizzzzzz”
I really loved Tree’s trailer. Malick is possibly my favorite film maker ever and even I agree that his his poetic voice over can at times be a little much even seeming pretentious. I found some of his VO dialogue the most obtrusive in The Thin Red Line which is my least favorite of his filmography. “Father! Mother! Always you wrestle inside me!” did come off a little funny, hehe.
Seeing this trailer in the theatre is one of the top experiences of my life.
no lie.
Malick needs a writer or a co-writer at least
(Shakes head disbelievingly)
Are people actually discussing one line in a trailer? And in two different posts? Seriously…
You commented on it. Twice. Say something interesting (twice).
This trailer made me laugh. COSMOSSSSSSSSS
“This trailer made me laugh.”
Seeing M. Night Shyamalan on your list of favorite “auteurs” made me laugh, but to each his own.
I should have known someone would respond viciously. What’s wrong with laughing? Laughing is good. That trailer was ridiculous.
Roscoe
“That’s because Malick is usually asking for a level of sincerity from the audience that few audiences are used to paying to the movies anymore, unfortunately.”
Well, up to a point, I agree, but there’s a line between sincerity and just plain bad faux-poetic overwrought writing, and I think Malick crosses it with “Father! Mother! Always you wrestle inside me!”