I first heard about Terrence Malick's "Tree of Life" this spring on NPR. A lot of descriptive words were used, but very few actual details about the plot. Sometime later, I remember discussing this NPR segment about the film with my brother-in-law at the beach in Florida. Our conversation went something like, "Yeah, I don't totally know what it's about. I hear it has Brad Pitt, Sean Penn..and *dinosaurs*..it must be good." The mystery surrounding the movie fueled my anticipation to see it at the local art house movie theater. And, then it came. Days and weeks went by in which I would ask my wife, "hon, do you think we can see that "Tree of Life" movie tonight?" She'd ask each time, "which one is that?" and I'd reply, "You know, the one with Brad Pit..and dinosaurs." For some reason these details did not entice her in the same way they did me. So, finally, with only two showings left at The Belcourt Theater, I left straight from work one evening and attended the film alone. The movie opens with a quote from Job, "“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” I had the feeling right away that this would be the perfect film to watch alone (However, my wife would regret it as I would later ramble on and on trying to describe the scenes and how it made me feel.) The word "epic" has been wasted on films like Harry Potter and Star Wars. When in fact it should be reserved, kept aside for special pieces of art that dare to contemplate such things as the beginning of existence and how we fit into the life of God's creation. The movie isn't perfect, sometimes it's a bit big for it's britches. However, I got completely lost in the visuals created to showcase the vastness, deepness, grandeur of the everliving God of the Universe.
You see, I really like Jesus. I strongly adhere to the thought that Jesus is my friend. I'm like the children (read spiritually uncoordinated and full of drool) in Luke 18 who run to Christ. However, Malick has created a great reminder, that while, through grace, we have been given a savior we can run to, it is a forgotten act of worship to fear God. More than anything, "Tree of Life" made me want to fall on my face in humble adoration of the author of a story in which I am, at best, a single letter of a word that makes up volumes in a story that stretches beyond my imagination. This is a God that existed before creation, designed the universe, flawlessly sewed together the elements to bring forth an awe-inspiring landscape of galaxies. When I am lost in self-pity or searching for further meaning it is a wonderful reminder that God spoke "“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." There is Alpha and Omega and in the middle is Godly order and design not meant for my understanding.
