A visual poem

Rating: 8/10 (8 March 2012)

One of the advantages of Malick's films is that they allow a lot of(personal) interpretation of the main theme. One theme is for certain the purity and simplicity of the "naturals" compared to the modern world. The conquering of the new world comes in a subtler way here through the character "Pocahontas" , so they don't have a final battle as you see in every film, because it isn't necessary. Her new clothes which don't suit her, and those artificial trees at the ending(remember the Indian's look) all lead to a sort of defeat. No battle is needed- no major battle was fought.
Some may not agree on my love story interpretation- but I believe maybe there was a defeat "inside her" also. Her first love was spontaneous, simple and in the end she accepts(she truly accepts, without sad feelings) John. She enters the modern world completely.
The monologue voices are very Malick like, very similar with The Tree of Life, and so is the camera movement. I saw many people complaining about the editing, but it was supposed to be like this. I guess it doesn't want to be like the continuity of a story, but rather details in a large world where you're just the observer.
Very good, another visual poem !