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Brad Pitt and Sean Penn filmed Tree of Life with Terrence Malick back in the Spring of 2008 – and barely anything has been heard of it since. Malick is a famously reclusive, elusive director, and no one, no studio, no star, no producer will get him to budge if he doesn’t want to move. There was a rumor that Brad really wanted Malick to finish editing Tree of Life so that promotion could start this year, at the Cannes Film Festival. That never happened. But, it looks like the film finally got a release date – May of 2011, and apparently, the trailer was in front of this weekend’s screenings of Black Swan. There’s a bootleg, low-quality version of the trailer at the end of the post.
Malick did allow two production stills to be released, one of Brad, one of Sean. I still don’t really know what this damn film is about. Brad plays a father in the 1950s and…uh…er…
From the Desk of Terrence Malick….
We trace the evolution of an eleven-year-old boy in the Midwest, JACK, one of three brothers. At first all seems marvelous to the child. He sees as his mother does with the eyes of his soul. She represents the way of love and mercy, where the father tries to teach his son the world’s way of putting oneself first. Each parent contends for his allegiance, and Jack must reconcile their claims. The picture darkens as he has his first glimpses of sickness, suffering and death. The world, once a thing of glory, becomes a labyrinth.
From this story is that of adult Jack, a lost soul in a modern world, seeking to discover amid the changing scenes of time that which does not change: the eternal scheme of which we are a part. When he sees all that has gone into our world’s preparation, each thing appears a miracle—precious, incomparable. Jack, with his new understanding, is able to forgive his father and take his first steps on the path of life.
The story ends in hope, acknowledging the beauty and joy in all things, in the everyday and above all in the family—our first school—the only place that most of us learn the truth about the world and ourselves, or discover life’s single most important lesson, of unselfish love.
[Malick‘s statement, courtesy of Collider]
The budget-quality trailer is below. It really doesn’t make any sense to me – it’s like a Hallmark commercial, like it’s designed to make you wistful and sad and broody all at once. Where’s the plot, exactly?
Thanks to Celebuzz for the heads up!
Written by Kaiser
Posted in Brad Pitt
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33 Responses to “Brad Pitt finally seen in long-awaited ‘Tree of Life’ stills & trailer”
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i agree. hopefully they release an additional extended trailer.
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It looks like the usual family drama movie. Where the grown-up son (Sean Penn) is trying to make sense through flashbacks a particular lesson or events during his childhood. And resolve his relationship with his father (Brad Pitt).
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Is it just me or could that kid be Michelle Williams’ son? I do a double take every time I see this picture.
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I think Brad Pitt plays Sean Penn’s father. Other than that, I have no idea what this thing is about. It sounds complicated and artsy fartsy to me.
I know Malick is sort of a “genius” or something in Hollywood and he’s only made three or four films in his life but, really, what movie needs three years to edit? It’s ridiculous and it makes it seem as if the movie isn’t any good and is having “troubles” like it’s a straight to DVD thing. I’m only half-way interested because of Brad so I’ve sort of followed the stories about it. I kind of lost interest after it didn’t make Cannes this year. So, I guess it’s nice to know it has a release date.
I do remember one or two stills from the movie from over a year ago. One had Pitt, the little boy, the mother and one or two other kids all together like they were at a fair or something. I can’t remember who plays the mother.
Wonder if it will be at Cannes next year?
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Oh they’re running behind the DDT truck! My mom said she used to do that as a kid. I agree Kaiser, I don’t get it.
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No.way.should.Sean.be.Pitt’s.son. Not even remotely close. That kid in the picture looks remarkably like Pitt, though, for that portion of the movie.
Meh. Penn can be such an asshole that I find it hard to watch him in anything. He ruins it for me with his real life persona. Damned shame; I sorta blame myself as I can seperate the ugly characters they create from the real person for the most part, with other actors; but he makes it hard to find anything redeemable for realz to supercede it into the movie roles.
Well, on the plus side, I doubt his missing out on my $10 movie ticket keeps him up at night.;-)
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finally, i guess…
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Isn’t this everybody’s story? We’re born, we grow up, we’re relatively happy until we start to process the teachings of our parents, after which we spend the next few decades trying to straighten ourselves out, decide what we want and forgive them for inculcating us with all of their issues. Or maybe not. Too deep for Monday. Liking the 1950s Brad.
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Sounds like a classic coming of age story. Kid realizes life isn’t all rosy and reflects back on the innocence of childhood. Don’t we all do that?
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@ happygirl
Michelle Williams’ kid? I thought it was her.
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To explore these themes, try Searching For Bobby Fischer, a wonderful, small film with no pretention and a talented cast.
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Has anyone seen the Thin Red Line? it’s one of the most confusing movies I have ever seen it’s really good but you have to watch it 3 times to understand it. I think that’s just the way that director rolls.
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@ neelyo – Haha!! I actually did, too at first glance…like, “what is Michelle Williams doing on Brad Pitt’s back??” Took me a minute…whew…glad to know the hallucinogens have worn off. Thanks for the confirmation
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He sure looks a hell of a lot better in this pic.
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that kid could be a young version of Brad, or one of his children. so damn cute.
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I remember when this was being made, there were stories about pregnant Angie & baby Shiloh accompanying Brad to his piano lessons. I hope they kept Brad’s piano playing in the movie. I also recall stories about Angie buying men’s underwear in a TX Walmart…
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Brad Pitt and Sean Penn in one movie. Gotta see this.
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@ Happygirl and neelyo:
I thought the same thing.
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this film is typical malik, long beautiful shots, really stilted dialogue and some sort of obscured deep emotional subtext. i personally find his films to be boooorrriiiinnng, you have to watch them in film school because apparently he is some sort of genius. he makes beautiful films, though very obscure.
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Makes no sense but I love Sean Penn so I’ll be watching lol.
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Terrence Malick’s films are like moving, breathing, poems. You just have to go with him on whatever journey he chooses to take you on. I love his films. And I can’t wait to see this.
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Looks like he made this movie before all the hot got sucked out of him…
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It doesn’t have to have a plot. It’s Terrence friggin Malick! Jeebus Christ. If he wanted to film paint dry you get on your knees and thank him because you could be guaranteed he would make it look simply beautiful.
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@ amanda i agree he has always made beautiful films but come on that doesn’t make him above plot. when one wants to look at something beautiful they go to an exhibition, when watching a film i personally prefer, movement, and story. could you actually sit through a malick marathon and not fall asleep???
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Ahhh, vintage Pitt sans the beard! It’s been too too long!
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i don’t care how bad the film itself looks. all i know is, between brad and sean…can you say PANTY PUDDING? i don’t know which one i’d jump first, but one thing is for sure…it WOULD get MESSY.
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Why the May release date?
I thought Malik films were more of a November/December release, just in time for awards season. Especially with such a ripe cast of actors who could potentially be nominated.
If they are releasing this film in May, that must mean there is no hope that the Academy would consider this up to par for awards season.
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@ Lisa Turtle the thought on this movie is that it will take time to build momentum for a nomination. So the idea is to premiere it and show it in festivals to build the buzz and help people to understand the project in time for Oscar season. I think Malick is a strong contender for Best Director even if Pitt doesn’t get a nom.
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@ mln76 – Thank you!
I think this looks like a beautiful subtle movie. Its strange to me that people would watch this trailer and think “snooze fest” but then again those are probably the same people who are going to line up and see Transformers 3.
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Brad looks so good with the buzz cut. That kid looks a lot like him too.
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@clorismetchum (#26) – all i know is, between brad and sean…can you say PANTY PUDDING?
xD I call an ‘overshare’ on that one. (Kidding xD)
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My computer is telling me “This video contains content from Fox, who has blocked it on copyright grounds.”
So what’s Penn doing making movies for the Republican propaganda network?
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Now why doesn’t Brad Pitt look like THAT all the time? Such a handsome man.
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