EXHIBITS
The Tree of Life: Religious Rates and Reception
Religious Rates and Reception
During the time that The Tree of Life was released, a lot was changing with religion. According to the Pew Research Center, religious affiliation was on a steady decline between the years 2007 - 2014. In fact, the number of those who were unaffiliated had a large increase, jumping from 16.1% to 22.8%. In this case, unaffiliated was defined as those who identify as "atheist, agnostic, or 'nothing in particular'" (Pew Research Center).
In another event, Harold Camping, leader of Family Radio Worldwide, predicted "The Rapture" would occur on May 21, 2011, just four days after the release of the film. The prediction was largely advertised as the organization's members prepared for the end of the world. According to the New York Times, there was much disbelief inside and outside the religious community. Pastor Dave Nederhood told them he was "terribly concerned" because people had "sold their belongings, quit their jobs, left their churches and their families" waiting for the end (McKinley). In the same article, it's reported that a Facebook page was created "devoted to 'Post-Rapture Looting,'" which poked fun at Harold Camping's prediction.
While these events don't directly influence The Tree of Life, they may correlate to the film's mixed reception. One reviewer states, "The Day of Judgement, prophesied for last weekend, has apparently been postponed, but moviegoers eager for rapture can find consolation -- to say nothing of awe, amazement and grist for endless argument -- in The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick’s new film” (Scott).
Although The Tree of Life won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the film's reviews were mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned an 84% from critics and a 60% from audiences. Not only is there a discrepency between the critic and audience reviews, but a 60% rating suggests the audience itself was torn. The film had an estimated budget of $32 million, but only made $13 million in the box office.
In his essay, "'Love Everything': Cinema and Belief in Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life," Robert Sinnerbrink points out, "Critical responses to The Tree of Life stand polarized between rapturous celebration and sarcastic ridicule" (94). He suggests that there are two main ways the film is reviewed: in one, critics focus less on the religion and more on the aesthetics, and in the other, they criticize the film's aesthetics in order to reject the religious aspects (95).
For example, in Alan A. Stone's review, he states, "Like the greatest religious art of the Renaissance, Malick's cinematography conveys the presence of God even to nonbelievers" (77). However, in Stephanie Zecharek's review, she says, "It's also a gargantuan work of pretension and cleverly concealed self-absorption masquerading as spiritual exploration" (1).
These reviews clearly exhibit the varied reception of The Tree of Life, however, Malick did start a conversation. Although there might be those who disagree with his ideologies, reviewers have consistently discussed the religious aspects of the film. We can't know whether or not audiences were moved by Jack's crisis of faith, but Malick has reintroduced religion in an increasingly secular world and it hasn't gone unnoticed.
"America's Changing Religious Landscapes." Pew Research Center, 12 May 2015, http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/. Accessed 18 April 2017.
McKinley, Jess. "At Apocolypse Central, Preparing for What Happens, or Doesn't." New York Times, 21 May 2011, p. A10.
Scott, A. O. "Heaven, Texas and the Cosmic Whodunit." New York Times, 27 May 2011, p. C1.
Sinnerbrink, Robert. "'Love Everything': Cinema and Belief in Malick's The Tree of Life." Symposium, vol. 20, no. 1, 01 Mar. 2016, pp. 91-105.
Stone, Alan. "Imagining Faith." Boston Review, vol. 36, no. 5, Sept./Oct. 2011, pp. 76 - 78.
Zacharek, Stephanie. "Tree of Life is About Life Alright; But Does Malick Care Much for People?" Movieline, 26 May 2011, p. 1-2. Accessed 18 April 2017.