2011 · 139 min · PG-13

The Tree of Life

Name: The Tree of Life
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Released: 2011
Duration: 139 min
Cast: Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Sean Penn, Fiona Shaw

Directed by Terrence Malick · Drama, Fantasy

The Tree of Life (2011) is a Drama film, directed by Terrence Malick set in Texas during the 1950s–2010s. It runs 139 minutes and is rated PG-13.

Themes of family & loyalty, grief & loss, and memory & nostalgia play out through non linear / fractured timeline and multiple perspectives.

Composer

Alexandre Desplat

Cinematography

Emmanuel Lubezki

Cast

Brad PittJessica ChastainHunter McCrackenSean PennFiona ShawTye SheridanLaramie EpplerWill Wallace

The world of this film

Setting

Where

Texas

Setting

Suburban Off World

When

1950s 2010sTimeless

Premise & themes

Themes

Family & Loyalty Grief & Loss Memory & Nostalgia

Structure

Non Linear / Fractured Timeline Multiple Perspectives

Tone

ContemplativeMelancholicSurreal Dreamlike

Shape

Protagonist

Ensemble

Pacing

Slow Burn

Dialogue

Sparse Quiet

Based on

Pure Fiction

1985
Blood Simple
Texas — 1980s
Ruraldir. Joel Coen
1967
Bonnie and Clyde
Texas — 1930s
Ruraldir. Arthur Penn
2014
Boyhood
Texas — 2000s · 2010s
Suburban · Urbandir. Richard Linklater
1978
Days of Heaven
Chicago · Texas — 1910s
Ruraldir. Terrence Malick
2012
Django Unchained
Mississippi · Texas — 1800s
Ruraldir. Quentin Tarantino
2016
Hell or High Water
Texas — 2010s
Ruraldir. David Mackenzie

The Tree of Life

The world of this film

Setting

Premise & themes

Shape

More like this

Blood Simple

Bonnie and Clyde

Boyhood

Days of Heaven

Django Unchained

Hell or High Water