Opening 2 Mar 2006
Directed by:
Terrence Malick
Writing credits:
Terrence Malick
Principal actors:
Colin Farrell, Q’Orianka Kilcher, Christian Bale
Award-winning director Terrence Malick attempts to give us yet another version of the love story of John Smith (Colin Farrell) and Pocahontas (Q’Orianka Kilcher). And like every narrative with an angle, Malick presents a "new world" of thought rather than in word. His attempt to create a mood for "lost in translation" worked with a script no one could write home about, literally. However, Malick’s slow-moving interpretation of two worlds colliding in the 17th century among the Native Americans and the English settlers is told through incredible cinematography. Since Pocahontas was such a significant part of the peace that developed between the two groups, naturally Malick goes after her story through imagery because she had to learn a different language and a different culture. The love story of John Smith and Pocahontas exposes an interesting side of innocence to relationship building which is somewhat childlike, full of inquiry and wonderment. Aside from the cinematography, the entry of character John Rolfe (Christian Bale) was my saving grace for this two and a half hour sit. Also, curious to learn more about his character, I did some research and thoroughly enjoyed brushing up on my history. But, many aspects of Malick’s version of the historical narrative were disturbing to me because I had not thought about the accounting in the same manner. And often the sequences were out of order, which appeared to be more of a technical issue of the film, but, hey, the producers promised a three hour version to appear on screen in summer 2006. Oh, won’t that be grand: an even longer version of very little script. (Karen Pecota)
