The Tree of Life

This was my first visit to Cornerhouse, Manchester's premier destination for all things visually artsy. The Tree of Life, the most recent offering from acclaimed writer/director Terrence Malik is the story of a 1950's post-war American family struggling to deal with life and each other.

Brad Pitt's role as the stern and emotionally constipated father, a breed which seems to have all but died out, was originally to be played by the late great Heath Ledger. Being the key benefactor to the film Pitt decided to step into the lead role himself and although it would of been wonderful to see Ledger adapt to such a character for me Pitt carries the fish-out-of-water father so well, not without some help from a powerfully posed underbite.

Lacking a clear linear plot or entirely cohesive set of events, many viewers will be forgiven for feeling frustrated at times; Tree of Life is prone to the odd 20 minute tangent. The mother's drawn out, grief-laden introspective narratives for instance, which accompanied by some of the film's most beautiful imagery deal with the nature of existence, meaning of life and God, do leave the viewer feeling cast adrift or bemused rather than empathetic or philosophical. Given, Malik is trying to convey the emotional state of grief but with only a superficial character development of the middle son, who's lost, I can't help feel these contemplations are contrived. Much of Malik's efforts are focused on capturing pivotal snapshots like memories in this way, and this gives the audience a feeling of drifting through each secular individual's emotional consciousness rather than watching a family collective.

This may leave you for a large portion of the film clawing to get into something more concrete and entire characters seem to only scratch the surface like the mother, Sean Penn's character and the youngest brother.

Thankfully Malik compensates the film's abstract, introspective sections with day to day life scenes and some good dialogue, such as the dinner table scene when the middle son tentatively mirrors the father's abusive behaviour, the scene follows:

Father to eldest son: 'Can you only speak to me if you have something important to say...and don't speak, just nod or shake your head. Did you have a good day...answer me..'

Eldest Son shakes and nods.

Middle Son to father: 'Shut up.'

Father: 'What did you say to me?!'

Middle Son: 'Please? Shut up...please?'

This one telling response beautifully encapsulates so much of the family's dynamic and the films key themes of fatherhood and childhood. Most definitely the Tree of Life is to be seen on the big scene, even if it's just to be left feeling a little dazed and confused. For me, a second watch is order, if only for the pretty pictures. 7/10

The right sort of 'over-the-top' ad

Yeah but it's not flying...is it though?! Nicely opportunistic though; grabbing a prominent spot at the centre of attention as it undergoes renovation. Not feeling it in that red, looks better in blue. And, the penny's just dropped; I've just done yet ANOTHER car ad blog, FML. What's the opposite of car blogs? Bicycle, walking...do a walking ad? Okay, challenge is set, i'll find a walking-esque ad.

First Blog for ages...please read. Much love

Brother's early efforts were banter-esque...they avoided the options of a) quirky, odd village charm b) Traditional English Summertime in the country c) side of the road 5 in the morning, no where to go...wait, they don't do adverts for Frosty Jacks, that shit sells itself.

Essentially the motivation behind this advert was to reinvigorate and re-enthuse the target audience. And as it's Summer they just HAD to go with a Bacardi-esque party scene to reflect current seasonal experiences. Truth be told, adverts for alcohol this time of year on TV...I think are a waste of time. Everyone's outside. At Hideout on the Island of Pag there were inflatable Absolut bottle...person size..the branding was on point and it was everywhere in the clubs, fair dos considering it's the first year on the island...massive brand pushes. I just that real brand experiences happen on the ground...for instance..Jaggermeisters.. probably not the way you spell it haha They do shots in test tubes....sooo coool...especially when you buy a round of 12...now that's a brand connection.