That Malick Magic

Rating: 10/10 (15 January 2006)

HBO has scattered this film around its many channels in recent months to coincide with the release of The New World. In many reviews of Malick's current film, the word elegiac pops up. I can't honestly claim to know exactly what that word means but I'm pretty sure you could apply it to the Thin Red Line as well. I've never seen a film so full and yet so reticent at the same time. The running time is almost three hours and there is not much dialogue, despite the impressive cast (Penn, Nolte, Travola, Clooney, and Jesus himself, Jim Cavaziel), none of whom can really be labeled as "the lead." (maybe Cavaziel). Most descriptions of this picture begin with the photography, and rightfully so. Malick gets some amazing shots of the South Pacific islands, and its not hard to contemplate living a life in paradise. The action footages are fast paced and well-done; Malick can bring it with the best. It's also interesting to think that in a lot of ways, this movie was overwhelmed by the other WWII of 1998, Saving Private Ryan. It's hard to actually describe this movie, as much of its power lies in its haunting, elusive beauty. I'm not a huge repeat movie viewer, but I've probably seen this one at least 10 times, usually noticing something new each time. Highly recommended.