anguish in paradise: a stunning portrait of the human condition

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 1999)

well i saw it yesterday, and being fresh in my mind and the first movie i've seen at the big screen in 2 years, i must admit it made a big impression on me. in fact i cannot remember seeing a finer movie than this. to call this a masterpiece, would be apt
i haven't seen spielberg's SPR, but i would be surprised if SPR had the same depth. through the various intimate narrations, malick keeps posing deep philosophical questions like: where does evil come from? are we not all one large soul? etc. it is very contemplative, which i found very attractive.
malick moves the story out of time, into a dreamlike state, and although there is one incredible battle scene, the director examines the emotions & thoughts and melancholy existence of man (as soldier) more than anything else. malick imparts an amazing sense of wonder and a spiritual journey in a paradise setting in which men created their own hell.
the cinematography is breathtaking, taking advantage of the coastal settings around northern QLD, the colour of the light, ocean, the flora and fauna are reminders of home. the portraits of the men's faces is really intimate. and i love how loose and naturally the story flows. some would say there is none. but i love that free-type quality. sometimes it almost looks like a nature documentary, embedded with the stereophonic whizz of bullets and images of tortured and vulnerable men. malick allows some characters to demonstrate some touching heroism, yet he admirably avoids setting the silly goodies and baddies dichotomy. at just under 3 hours it's an epic of sorts. although malick uses war as a metaphor, the battle scenes were amazingly realistic. you felt like you were there with these vulnerable soldiers
i've got to see this one again