Benutzerrezensionen

This was a very good movie. Yes, it starts slow but if you have the patience to watch until the very end you will find the writer and director did a wonderful job at tying everything up together. It shouldn't have been booed, as it was a heart warming story that had excellent acting. This movie deserves an opportunity at redemption in the world of movie downloads, and cable movies. So sad to see it destroyed by critics without having been given a chance. This is not a movie that I would watch over and over, but it is a very good one time watch. The use of flashbacks may be a turnoff for some as it drags out the movie a little longer than some may be comfortable with. The filming was different but captured the essence of the film, emotions and desperation. Trust me, do yourself a favor and give it a view on a weekend when you are bored... so no loss in the event you agree with the film festival crowd and critics.

Actually, this was a better film than what I have heard of it. It is like another version of 'The Constant Gardener'. About a man who never understood his wife, feels guilty while finding some answers after her depart. During his attempt to kill himself in the famous Aokigahara forest, also known as suicide forest, he meets a Japanese man who got lost and befriends. While trying to help him find his way out, they face some unexpected obstacles. Beside, the flashback stories were narrated alongside, piece by piece to reveal earlier account.

From the director of 'Good Will Hunting', the film is about the survival and fighting the loss and depression. Too slow, so patience is the key to watch it. A bit long narrative, but in the end it is worth. The developments were not that interesting, though the final twist which is kind of simple and predictable makes us a little happier. Great cast, particularly McConaughey, though Naomi and Watanabe in the fine supportive roles.

For me this is a good film. I think some people, as well as the film critics got all wrong. I'm not saying it is a must see, but it is a different and a decent film even for the average people. The problem with this is the weak screenplay. Familiarity is the right word here, because you could foresee the direction of the progression before every scene. Still, the performances, beautiful locations, all make it an alright film. Normal people should think twice before try it, but the film fanatics should not hesitate to go for it. That means this film is for the selected viewers.

7/10

Was there a major edit made for the U.S. release? I'd read that it started off good and the ending got convoluted, but the film was consistently well played throughout. Regardless of any changes, watching this taught me again that critics are fickle and you need to see something yourself. There can be a negative mob mentality if a film gets bad press early on, even if people don't really know why.

McConaughey's acting was subdued for his character and it fit the role. I won't give away the plot twists but I'd recommend this as much as any recent, well-received movie. The atmosphere was unique and low-key, and I couldn't find major faults, though I wasn't totally surprised by a certain driving scene.

Though it starts slow and kind of unnerving, the story unfolds in a beautiful way.

Great actors. Meaningful life themes.

Beautiful ending. Makes all the discomfort worth it.

Just take it slow, pour a glass of wine and let it conquer you in a subtle, japanese, endearing kind of way.

What is life, the strange question. People suffers from depression, sorrow and sadness. People lose someone they love. That's the reason so people want to die.

To here we are, an American who didn't know the meaning of his life, neither his life partner. Every life has up site down. So they do.

So something happened to them that shouldn't have happened.

He decided to go the jungle of mass suicide. Per years there are 100+ suicide reports into this jungle. The Japanese name of this jungle is Aokigahara. also known as the Suicide Forest or Sea of Trees

So let me talk about the low rating and bad reviews. I suggest, do not listen to them. This isn't a everyone type movie. Some people like and someone dislikes. I liked it. And i realized that Life is precious.

I had no idea what kind of movie i was watching, maybe i Just decided to watch it because of Matthew Mcconaughey playing in it but then it got me. I knew about C.G. Yung and Joseph Campbell's method of analyzing symbols and mythology and however at the beginning I did not realize it and even thought it might be a horror movie but then slowly by slowly it opened to me like if you see some one and they look familiar but you don't know how you know them and then that aha moment comes. After that I enjoyed every moment of the movie and could not stop thinking about it for some time.

I have to be fair though and admit that the flash backs could get a bit boring sometimes but I think it is just because the situation the couples were in was boring and nerve racking any way so in the movie they could not change it.it is how it is.

At the end I'd say its a clean, honest and truthful story without lies or exaggerations. the acts are great the scenes are well chosen and effective and well again if you know a bit about symbols you might learn something out of it.

I don't understand why this movie was booed at the Cannes Film Festival. This is a beautiful story. It is a story in which we learn so many lessons about life's most difficult moments and how one can find the courage to survive. Excellent acting and beautiful script. The cinematography is beautiful.

An American man, Arthur Brennan, played by Matthew McConaughey travels to the "Suicide Forest" (Aokigahara forest) to kill himself at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan, the site of numerous suicides. There he encounters a Japanese man, Takumi Nakamura, played by Ken Watanabe, who wants to kill himself as well, and both men begin a journey of self- reflection and survival.

But more than the suicide theme, there is the story of Arthur Brennan and his relationship with his wife, Joan, played by Naomi Watts, which is told to the viewer with a series of flashbacks. The core problems that exist in so many marriages are brought to the surface and examined during the unfolding of the story. It is a stark reminder of how easily we sometimes let love and relationships deteriorate when we don't have to. Thinking we will one day have time to fix the problem.

Beautiful story and excellent acting from all. I loved this film.

I think the movie is underrated. I know it is not one of the best movies that anyone should watch,but it is not that awful. A great crew in this movie. The script is not that good.The movie will really touches u.The drama was good. A good experience for anyone. there is no doubt that Matthew did a great job at this movie, but he should take care of his coming movies. I compare between his role in this movie and mud. I think the difference can not be noticed. The same of his voice at both movies. overall the whole cast and the movie is very good for me. I recommend the lovers of drama to watch this movie especially the psycho movie lovers. do not be so harsh on Matthew. Each actor need a variety.It is a good one

Arthur Brennan (Matthew McConaughey) travels to the Aokigahara forest in Japan where people go to commit suicide. There, he encounters Takumi Nakamura (Ken Watanabe). The movie also shows his troubled marriage to Joan Brennan (Naomi Watts).

Director Gus Van Sant delivers a ponderous journey of self-discovery. Neither timeline is that compelling. The troubled marriage lacks energy which ends in a silly surprise reveal. The walk in the forest is only that while the audience waits for the inevitable reveal. This felt much longer than its running time.

OK, so the critics panned this film as boring and lack luster with some very harsh comments, but my curiosity was sparked by the unusual plot so I gave it a go.

Ten minutes into the film, I was near ready to give up on it and agree with it detractors, as it was very slow moving at the start, however, as the story developed I became interested in the 'why' and committed myself to discover the answers.

Matthew McConaughey offers a very good performance as does Ken Watanabe, both of whom demonstrate their desperation, frustration and hopefulness with convincing commitment. Naomi Watts completes the group of well matched, well directed talent. I found the cinematography to be excellent as well.

I did figure out the plot twist before it was revealed, but the way the director exposed it, I thought, was quite brilliant, and, just when I thought the film was over, we are presented with still another surprise that actually made me smile.

All and all, Sea of Trees delivered as both entertainment and a moral study from which every observer can benefit. I enjoyed it, and, given a chance, I think most views will as well.

Saw it in a sneak preview screening.

After seeing the horrible "The Forest" i was a bit reluctant to see another movie about the suicide forest, but was surprised that this movie deals with different themes.

I watched the movie because i wanted to watch a movie, and in that i found a lot of enjoyment. The movie had some good pacing and it deals with basically a present and past storyline entwined and both are interesting enough to have you go "no wait, i want to know how it continues" with every switch.

The acting was good, the story was perhaps a bit on the "cliché" side near the end, but in all satisfying. I have to mention the cinematography, because there are some beautiful shots in there, sometimes it felt so strange when shots where done without a steady cam but in ends up feeling more "organic" in the end.

So if you want to watch a nice story driven film, give it a shot.

I lived near Aokigahara when I taught at a private institution on Mt. Fuji. One day my friend and I hiked into it hoping to find adventure. We found no dead bodies, no skeletons, no signs of any humans having been there, and our compasses worked fine. Basically, it is an area of lava tubes, some partially collapsed leaving numerous holes of a variety of sizes. Our conclusion was that amateur hikers probably stepped in a hole and broke their legs and couldn't get out. It is geographically confusing as one tube looks more or less like another, but the place is not far from a highway and it would be nearly impossible to get lost there despite what the movie may make you believe.

Oh, yeah, the movie. Despite a rather good cast, the film simply falls flat. The actors basically go through the motions to pick up their paychecks. The best, or a least most believable, part is the relationship between the Matthew McConaughey character and his wife, played by Naomi Watts, and even that is inconsistent. It's a movie that tries to bring up deep themes but falls short. The adding of spiritual and religious elements just muddies the water even further. The movie suffers from the worst fate that can afflict a movie that attains to be philosophic - some parts are absolutely laughable.

I'm not sure I really cared about what happened to any of the characters. There was never any angst built by the plot and you will not be sitting on the edge of your seat. In fact, you'll miss nothing if you do the laundry while the film is playing. If this was a ploy for the local area to stimulate suicide tourism, it probably failed, though suicidal thoughts may have crossed the minds of some who were forced to watch the movie to its conclusion.

Although some scenes may produce unintentional humor, I would not recommend watching it. Too bad, because there really could be a good movie built around the place.

Some forests seem to have a reputation about them. Though I do wonder how it is, they don't actually do something about those. I mean if you are aware that people go there for a specific (and horrific if I may add) reason, you'd think they would try to put measures in place to stop people from doing something they won't be able to regret.

But if that were the case, you wouldn't have this movie now would you? And it's a fine movie overall. I read it got bad reviews and reactions in Cannes, which is a bit surprising. Especially considering this feels like a movie that should be at home in Cannes (no pun intended). The acting is really good and while you mostly have 2 characters (with some flashbacks where more people are being seen), it never is boring. If you like Drama that is of course ...

Hot off a streak of films that included The Wolf of Wall Street, Dallas Buyers Club and sci-fi classic Interstellar, the prospect of new lease of life actor Matthew McConaughey and renowned director Gus Van Sant for a powerful sounding drama, we at the time new little factual details about, seemed like an appealing and likely moving film experience.

Fast forward to September of 2016 and Sea of Trees, unable to recover from a disastrous Cannes Film Festival premiere in 2015 In which the film became a laughing stock (and a filmed booed at its press screening) of media agencies and film fans the world over, has had a fanfare free release to mostly home video markets around the globe or in the case of America an embarrassing cinema release which has at the time of writing netted the film box office takings of $20,000 off a budget in excess of $30 million that will position the critically lambasted experience (Rotten Tomatoes rating of 10%) to become one of the years, and recent memories, biggest cinematic failings.

With all the talk and negativity surrounding this tale of McConaughey's intellectually minded professor Arthur Brennan taking a suicidal sojourn to Japan's suicide forest after the passing of his wife Joan (well played by Naomi Watts), only to find possible redemption after he runs into fellow suicidal Japanese businessman Takumi Nakamura (a disappointing Ken Watanabe), you'd be expecting Van Sant's film to be a new aged The Room or Samurai Cop but while the film is clearly not even half the film it well could've been, Sea of Trees is not nearly as unwatchable as many would have you believe.

Filled with pretentiousness thanks to Buried screenwriter Chris Sparling's script, Van Sant's curiously unengaging direction (calling to mind his other recent misfire Restless) that veers frequently into Hallmark movie territory, one of cinemas most misguided musically scores thanks to composer Mason Bates and an overplayed and scene mugging McConaughey performance that fails to capture the form his developed over the last few years, Sea of Trees has many clearly obvious components that open it up to the critical and dagger wielding masses but it also has a heart, whilst often hidden, that carries into a more watchable (if only slightly so) landscape.

Whether it's a confronting and open hearted examination of Arthur and Joan's troubled marriage around a campfire, Watt's fine turn as the doomed Joan or an ending that could've really been something handled better, Sea of Trees still bares the tiny remnants and fragmented elements of the film many all hoped for when it was announced.

Expectations can be a dangerous thing, Sea of Trees can well and truly bear witness to this and while its far from 2016's worst film, Gus Van Sant and crews misguided and miscued meditation of life, love and loss is unlikely to ever find itself spoken about as a misunderstood masterpiece, rather a film that for whatever reason couldn't find out what it was trying to say or how it was going to say it.

2 flash floods out of 5

"I don't want to die, I just didn't want to live." Arthur Brennan (McConaughey) is tired of his life and is just flailing and decides he only has one option. He flies to Japan in order to visit the mysterious Aokigahara forest to end it all. When he begins to carry out his plan he notices Takumi (Watanabe) who has changed his mind about suicide and is trying to find his way out. Arthur decides to help him escape, and along the way the two begin to discuss their lives, and find reasons for living. This is a good movie but one you must be in the mood for. This is not super depressing, but its not a very happy movie either. The acting is great, as would be expected, and that really carries the movie. Little by little you find out more and more about Arthur's story and why he is in the position he is. The pacing and writing of the movie is near perfect and the acting only adds to the emotion needed for a film like this. There was a movie called The Forest that came out a few months ago that dealt with this area as well, I liked that one better but the movies are just so different its almost hard to compare the two. Overall, near perfect pacing, writing and acting lead to a great movie. That said, it is one you have to be in the mood for and be emotionally ready to handle. Since the re-watchablity (for me at least) isn't there, I give this a B+.

Most of Gus Van Sant's movies have focused either on marginalized people (My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting) or political issues (Milk, Promised Land). "The Sea of Trees" is a new turn for him. Matthew McConaughey plays a man who goes to Japan's Aokigahara - aka Suicide Forest - with the aim of ending his life, only to meet a man (Ken Watanabe) who has his own story.

This movie is not a masterpiece, but is an interesting story in its own right. In addition to the flashbacks showing events with the main character and his wife (Naomi Watts), I like the cinematography in the forest. These two men have a lot to deal with in this forest, but their experiences force them to persevere.

So, while it's far from Van Sant's best movie, I still recommend it. I don't understand why it got booed at the Cannes Film Festival.

I can't remember the last time I wanted to see a film so badly just to see what all the bad reception was about. For what was my most anticipated movie of 2015 to suddenly get forgotten after one screening at a festival, which that alone is bad sigh that your movie is bad. I loved "Elephant" and I couldn't wait to see this, but my heart sank after seeing the bad press the film got from the Cannes screening. Even reading the bad reviews I still couldn't get a gasp of how this turned out bad and it only made me want to see the movie even more.

And I finally got a chance to watch it and while I don't think it's as awful as people have said, but this is unfortunately a messy film that could have easily been good. If only it was in the right hands.

I remember a time when I couldn't stand McConaughey, but he really has proved himself as an actor that it eventually did win me over. And in this movie I would say that McConaughey did a decent performance and in the scenes where the character is having a breakdown I thought he was pretty good. Unfortunately it wasn't a great performance and that's because there was plenty of times where I found myself laughing at the wrong moments. There's a scene in this movie where McConaughey character falls over and lands straight down onto his face, and the sound of him in pain was so weird but laughable at the same time. I can't believe Gus Van Sant looked at that scene and thought it was good. Like, Come on Gus.

Gus Van Sant has made many movies that I liked and some that I consider misfires. But I personally think that this is Gus Van Sant biggest misfire, because there's nothing special in the film making and a lot of things felt like it was missing something. It lacks detail and there's so many things in this that I felt was a miss opportunity of being great. And the cheap flashback scenes really do drag this out and wasn't that interesting that I kinda zoned out every time it cuts back. It would have been great if there was a little bit of Mystery to McConaughey character of why he's there and what is he's motivations to bring himself to do this and drop little hints to get us thinking. But instead we get lazy flashback scenes with him and his wife (played by Naomi Watts) that makes it very clear straight away of what he's motivation are for ending he's life, because it's that predictable.

This movie is so predictable that I saw a lot of things coming. Like if a scene seems a bit too happy (for a depressing movie like this), you know something bad is going to happen and of course something bad happens. This really hurts the movie in terms of the emotional elements, because when there's tragic or emotional happening, I'm not really feeling it as I saw it coming miles away.

For a premise like this, that involves two suicidal people lost deep in the Forrest that's known for people going there to take their own lives, should at least been interesting. It should have a took a risk by asking unique and challenging questions that would make you think.

What really makes us so alive?

Or

What's the reason to stay alive?

It should have challenge you as an audience member and while some may disagree with it, at least it gets you talking.

Overall rating: The Sea of Trees was dull, empty and a massive disappointment. But hey, at least I finally know why this was panned by critics.

Was lucky to see this via press.

It's a good movie. The acting is as expected by the actors and the cinematography is decent. Some weird cutting and editing, and the music could be better. It's sort of just there. It doesn't really seem to be incorporated with what's showing on the screen. But I have to give credit to the writer(s). It's an interesting story about a grizzly yet fascinating place. I would however, put more focus on the relationship between the "souls" there and the past of the professor.

As far as theme goes, there really isn't any. It's too weird of a setting to really have a meaning worth remembering. But as entertainment it's a good movie. Some very beautiful shots.

If you're looking for a good movie starring your favorite actor, this is not it. But, if you're looking for an interesting movie you probably wouldn't watch, this is it. It's not a waste of time watching, but it won't be re watched. It's a been there done that movie. Good quality and concept, but a bit too poorly of an end result. But I'm still glad I saw it.

Matthew McConaughey is Arthur Brennan a man who comes to a famous forest in Japan for suicide to do so himself. His perception is changed when he meets a man named Takumi Nakamura played by Ken Watanabe who needs his help getting out of the forest.

The movie starts off as a culture clash between the American and the Japanese as they discuss their reasons for being in the forest. We see through flashbacks that for Arthur it has to do with his wife, Joan, played by Naomi Watts and for Takumi it's because of a demotion that will affect him tending to his family. The start of the culture clash goes over my head as neither one of them has given me a good case for ending their life. Then the film hits us with the spiritual differences between cultures, and the whole monologue becomes lame in its predictability.

However, the chemistry between McConaughey and Watanabe is good enough to keep me attracted to what I see on screen, but not as effective as what McConaughey was doing with Watts. Their back and forth as a married couple on shaky ground could not have been more formulated, but it was more about the acting, which made the generic really natural, raw and life like. From the Awkward moments they share while having dinner with their friends, to the way Joan disrespects what Arthur does for a living, I am swept up in the belief that they are a real couple.

Overall, McConaughey had two really good dance partners for this machine he's running. At the same time, he was given some great solo moments to shine bright like a diamond.

Adding to the brilliant acting, director Gus Van Sant creates a very spiritual environment used to explore life and death and everything in-between. It was ghostly and haunting as well. The imagery may have been subtle but it captures its beauty nicely, and the music composed complements the environment so well. Very captivating.

The Sea of Trees biggest fail point, and it is a big one, is the narrative is so formatted, I felt like a fortune teller looking into a crystal ball. As touching as the performances were and what top notch film crafting I see, I cannot get past how unoriginal this story line is. In their attempts at laying out the darkness of life, how the ups only go so high, but the downs can go really low, they created a pathway that a viewer could go through blindfolded. No surprises and no originality.

In the end, The Sea of Tress is a decent small vehicle for Matthew McConaughey to drive, showing off his acting chops behind the wheel as a lead actor, but I've seen him do just as good of a job in far better small vehicles.

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