Intensely personal story may be tough going if you can't click into its vibe

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2007)

Intensely personal about love and loss by Darren Aronofsky.
Three "stories" that are actually inter related. A conquistador looks for the fountain of youth, a researcher deals with the impending death of his wife, and years later the researcher travels in space with the tree of life.
Visually stunning this movie will either enthrall you or bore you. Its either going to strike you as twaddle or a grand explanation of loving someone so much that they are your life. Its as personal as a film can get and you either travel to that place or you'll think the director is mad. I will not presume to know how anyone will relate to it.
Late at night, half asleep was the wrong time for me to see this. I am in awe at how personal the film is and I can admire how much of a masterpiece it is, but at the same time it didn't fully click with me. I liked it but I didn't love it. Its like a painting where you can admire the greatness of it, but you wouldn't hang it in your home. I see what it is and I can discuss it dispassionately, but at the same time I don't know if I need it in my collection.
Then again I need to see this again simply because I don't know if I was as receptive as I should have been (besides its great to look at) Worth a look if you understand what you're getting into...actually more than worth a look, anyone wanting to be challenged by a film, especially an American film, should give it a shot.