Technical—5/5--Never have I been more disappointed at not
seeing a film on the big screen. How I
wish to have seen such magnificent beauty writ en large. I wished to have heard the swelling of the
music in contrast to the usual quietness of most scenes.
Interest—5/5—The main reason I hesitated to watch The New
World is that the story of Pocahontas has been done so badly for so long. I have read her history and am disappointed
at John Smith’s fantasies being played out, and I cannot forget that Pocahontas
was, at most, 12 (probably 9) when his fiction took place. It is true, Malick takes some (okay, a lot)
historical license here, but the end of the story is accurate, so I forgive
all. Some would say that the film is
slow, even boring. What is there to be
bored about? This film was crafted
perfectly. The beauty, the romance, the
sorrow, the action, the final scenes—everything is fascinating and perfect.
Tension—4/5—The movie really is slower paced, which can
reduce tension. But Malick uses that
pace to help us feel the tension between
the father and the daughter, to sense Pocahontas’ conflict within herself, who
loves both the English and the Native.
Only Kubrick could have done better.
Emotional—5/5—It took a while for the emotional impact to
hit me. At first I was very critical of
the film. Pocahontas is too old, her
relationship with Smith is too direct… blah, blah, blah. But Malek won me over by sheer majesty of
presentation and storytelling. Although
everyone is quiet (what is it with the constant whispering?), the emotional
weight is communicated perfectly. We
know what all of the main characters are going through and experience with them
their sorrow and pain. I know, that is
what a movie is supposed to do, but it so rarely happens so perfectly.
Characters—5/5—The actors all did a magnificent job. Everyone was perfect. But I want to give credit where credit is due
and that is probably to Terrance Malick.
Never have I seen Colin Farrell or Christian Bale give a better
performance. Never have I seen them act
with such emotional power, yet with speaking so few words. They showed it, they carried it, and it had
to be because Malick was directing.
Unless they were inspired by the trees.
Theme—5/5—True love.
What is love, really? Is it a
youthful passion? Is it a committed
relationship? Is it found with the
dangerous, powerful man that can be tamed?
Or with the kind man that loves you more than you love yourself? While not denying any kind of love, it speaks
to the lasting power of one.
Ethics—5/5—The saying goes, “All is fair in love and war”,
yet we know just how untrue that is.
There are ethical limits to war but especially to love. Perhaps the rules of love are unique to each
relationship, nevertheless they are there.
What constitutes a marriage, what is unfaithfulness? When hurt increases,
so do the ethical principles. Although
the ethical situation in this film is unique, it speaks to the limitations of
love in all contexts.
Personal—5/5—One thing I loved about the film that I haven’t
mentioned yet is the focus on courtship.
Most films spend time on how a couple meet and fall in love then move
quickly to sex or even a wedding—some sort of consummation. Here, in both relationships that are
depicted, the focus is less on the falling in love as on how the couple spends
time together, the joys they have with each other apart from orgasm. This is much more realistic and romantic and
makes me reflect on my own “romantic period”.
I am stunned. Stunned, I tell you. This is one of the finest crafted films ever made, and full
of power and emotion. How can I not put
it on my top 100?
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