In a recent Cineaste article the question is posed "What the hell happened with Terrence Malick?" alluding to the fact that in his recent films ("To The Wonder", "Tree of Life) he has fallen off the track of the genius he displayed in earlier titles such as "Badlands", "Days of Heaven", and "The Thin Red Line". I can't agree with this argument however and found much to be admired in "To The Wonder". It is a mysterious, lyrical, hypnotic piece that further demonstrates that Malick is one of the greatest, most consistent directors of all time.
The film stars Ben Affleck and Olga Kurylenko as Neil and Marina, two souls who meet and fall in love in Paris, Marina's home (Neil is visiting from the U.S.) The scenes in Paris at the beginning of the film are understated, simple and evocative. Marina's voice-over (in French) gives philosophical outlooks and statements on the theme of the initial wonderment and excitement of two people falling in love while we are shown images of the couple and Marina's young daughter wandering the streets of Paris and enjoying each other's company. The three of them move to Oklahoma in the United States. Their relationship starts to cool-off and Marina finds solace under the guidance of a local priest played by Javier Bardem. Bardem's character and his own voice-over provides interesting comments on Catholicism and religion in general. He is a conflicted, haunted soul who questions his own divinity. He brings to mind the existential angst demonstrated in the main character in Robert Bresson's "Diary of a Country Priest".
When Marina's Visa expires, she returns to France with her daughter. During this estrangement, Neil starts a relationship with an old high-school flame named Jane (Rachel McAdams). Their love for each other is passionate but also short-lived. Marina returns to the U.S. and to Neil where they are soon married but things get complicated once again.
I can see why many would be put-off or bored by this film. Not a lot happens. It requires patience and perseverance but it is a rewarding experience for fans of Malick and lovers of poetic, lyrical cinema with beautiful cinematography. It is not Malick's best film but it continues with his major ideas and themes and adds a lot to his identification as a true cinematic auteur.
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