However, Malick is often overwhelmed by his ambitious sense of scale.
A surprising amount of the films deep emotional effectiveness comes from external, post-production sources.
There was never a perfect person around.
You just have half-angel and half-devil in you.).
Malick remains a tricky filmmaker to approach.
The reception ofTree Of Lifehas been, at best, complicated.
Popular critical opinion may slide towards the positive, but key voices have cried foul.
Its amusing to see that such divisions of opinion plagued the director even during his younger days.
Reviews, however, were divided.
Slowly but surely the sharp images carve away at the audiences guts.
The hatchet jobs are infinitely more entertaining.
I beg to differ: I think every aspect of Malicks craft is up for debate.
Days Of Heavenis, therefore, a fascinating New Hollywood footnote.
Days Of Heavenopens at the BFI today, and will screen until 30th September.
See more of our Looking Back articles here.
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