The New World - movie review

There is a reason why Terrence Malick only comes out with a movie once every seven years (directed 5 movies since 1969 - last one was The Thin Red Line back in 1998). Every scene in this movie was shot with painstaking care. The scenery was just as much a part of this movie as the characters and the script. Yes, that means the movie was very slow, with slow probably being an understatement. This movie was a retelling of the story of John Smith and Pocahontas, and the clash between the Native Americans and the English settlers in the 17th century. The movie rested squarely on the shoulders of fifteen year old Q'Oriana Kilcher, who did an amazing job as the character we know of as Pocahontas. She held her own in scenes with both Colin Farrell and Christian Bale. My favorite part of the movie was how Malick used the native language, but would only subtitle it occassionally. At times, you really understood the confusion the settlers felt while trying to interact with a new people and a new culture.

As I said earlier, the movie is at times excruciatingly slow, but I can just imagine the storyboarding process Malick, his cinematographer and director of photography went through to put some beautiful and amazing visuals on screen. This movie is definitely not for everybody, but if you have the patience (and about 2 and a half hours) and an interest in the subject matter, you will hopefully not be disappointed. Props to Christopher Plummer, who continually takes on smaller roles in movies and never disappoints.

5 out of 6 beers.