The Tree

A strong, layered second film by Julie Bertocelli, one which probably deserves more recognition that it has been given by most critics. I found it difficult to take my eyes off of Charlotte Gainsbourg, who gave a sensitive and complex portrayal of a woman grieving her husband's passing. While the film may have been compared to WALKABOUT, given the cinematic opportunities of the outback, the spiritual nature of the environment paves way for specific beautiful and endearing unexpected visual delights which compliment the narrative in obvious ways, but perhaps not offensively so. The film is quite focused. It is kept simple and unfolds nicely. I found it much more pleasing to sit through than TREE OF LIFE. Bertocelli's film is much more tightly woven and traditional in form, not necessarily any less authentic or profound. Moments were delightful, not excruciatingly painful in the sense of wallowing, allowing the occasional irritation from the daughter to seep into the point where you just want Dawn to slap her across the face. May make more of an interesting comparison the that tree scene in Poltergeist or the horror film about the WOODS. Definitely underrated on here, a film well worth checking out.

Sometime i feel alone in this world...and when I saw that this movie only had 6.6, it really just proved it again.

Enough is enough, I had to find my old password in order to log in, and vote 10, and of course, to write this review.

This movie is a masterpiece. It has some of the most wonderful pictures, cuts and acting I've ever seen. The acting is so psychological correct, that you forget all about you are watching a movie. Instead you feel like a fly on the wall. The only place were i lost my focus to the movie, where when I think: Where did they find that girl? (Simone) I found out later that more than 200 girls were auditioned to find her. This does not necessarily mean she, Morgana Davies, is excellent, but...she just is. I will bet what i have in my pockets, that this girl just has started a carrier, like Nathalie Portman did in Leon, this is her phantom star. Surely a great carrier is waiting.

But, let us not loose our focus from the movie. If you are a deep person, who loves themes like: family, the unexplained, loyalty, love, and great moving pictures, spiced with the best acting in cinemas right now...then go and buy this movie, and give it to your friend to enjoy it after wards.

I will "only" give it 9 though..just because of movies like Braveheart, La Vita e Bella and The Matrix still exists :) Peace E

I just finished watching The Tree, and I can not describe the feeling that I have.

This was truly a beautiful film, so touching and heartfelt. If you are expecting a tear jerking drama, then The Tree will not deliver what you want. The Tree has its sad moments, but it more focus's on the happier moments. The acting is very well done, the cinematography is stunning and the musical score is brilliant. Also, Morgana Davies is adorable! I can't wait to see how far she goes.

I highly suggest you sit down and watch the tree, it will give you a very warm feeling inside! 9/10

Peter O'Neil dies suddenly in front of his family. His wife Dawn (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is devastated and she's left with four kids to care for in the outbacks of Australia. The girl Simone starts talking to the giant tree next to their home. Its roots are getting into the pipe and a giant branch crashes into the home. She gets a job at the plumbing supply store and starts a relationship with owner George. Her neighbors want her to cut down the tree before the roots get into their pipes. Simone defends the tree against George claiming to hear her father.

This is a slower, meandering story like a tree slowly strangling the house. It has a dreamy feel. Some of it looks beautiful but some of it gently rocks the audience to sleep. It has some appeal but mostly, it's a low intensity tale. The neighbors could have given more tension. In the end, the storm is a convenient way to blow all the story branches away.

Story of the 'The Tree' takes place in the country side of Australia. It's plot around Dawn O'Neil who is a mother of 4 children struggling to recover with the unexpected loss of her husband. When the father die the happiness of the family seems to ran far away and Dawn for months tries to understand the reality and put everything back together for her kids. But the youngest 8 year old daughter Simone fails to adapt to the situation and starts to believe that her father speaks to her via the big old tree in their garden. And when this tree becomes too unstable and threatens the house and the family Dawn has to decide if to chop the tree down amidst her daughter's objection.

The Tree has a good flow. It's filled with little events which defines the O'Neil family and how they try to cope up with the loss of their father and the protection and income. Alongside the main attention is given towards the giant tree which holds a significant value in the family and its history. Soon the viewer starts to feel like the tree is actually a family member which keeps the family in bound to each other. And it does it for good reasons.

Dawn's character is a strong one. And Charlotte Gainsbourge portrays it quite skillfully. And the performance by the little Morgana Davies who plays the sweet yet stubborn Simone does a wonderful job as well. Overall the acting in the movies is quite raw and closer to reality. Thus brings viewer in to more realism with the whole situation.

The Tree most of the time is a quite movie. With little score and few lines in between it will put the viewer in to the middle of a lonely place. But don't let that loneliness to gulp you down. Because good movies don't make much noise.

My reviews at flickshout.tk