Defining "Tree of Life" is quite a challenge. For neutrality's sake, we'll call it "experimental". Summarizing it is even more of a challenge. The simplest storyline of the film is that of Jack O'Brien's (Sean Penn) life, traveling between his somewhat troubled youth and his current life as an architect. As a young boy, he is raised by his parents, played by Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain. Mr. O'Brien is a strict, rough father, who believes his tough parenting will help his boys succeed. Mrs. O'Brien is far kinder, and clearly the favorite of her three sons. In between this storyline, we are taken through apparently the creation of the planet, which is somehow supposed to tie in with Jack O'Brien's life. While Terrence Malick's film is visually beautiful, there doesn't seem to be much coherence to the storyline, and not knowing what to take away from a film is quite frustrating. If someone else can riddle out the meaning of "Tree of Life", let me know. 3 out of 10 stars.
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