The Tree of Life - Parents Movie Review

movie review rating guide for parents and families

MPAA Rating
PG-13

for some thematic material

Genre
Drama, Action, Adventure

Director
Terrence Malick

Starring
Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Sean Penn

Studio
Fox Searchlight

Release Date/In Theaters
5/27/2011

Movie Summary

Jack (Sean Penn) is the oldest son of a Midwestern family who leaves on a jouney to find the answers to lifes mysteries. His travels are haunted by his relationship with his father (Brad Pitt).

Movie Review for Parents

-by Ginger

This move centers on three boys in the 1950s. It is about coming of age and the loss of innocence. This drama counts as an art film. It is about a family and the relationships and dynamics that develop as two boys grow up and discover what life is all about. The story follows the boys from infancy to adulthood. It is about their experiences as they grow up. These experiences seem like everyday ordinary events, but the directing craftily gives them meaning through exploring the cause and effect of them on the boys and what they become in the future.

The movie has a deep undertone and requires a certain level of mental sophistication to understand it. It is not likely that young children or teens would even like this movie. I would not expect them to sit still through it. It is heavy on the drama side with few light moments. This one is a tearjerker, that invokes heavy contemplation on the part of the audience. It explores the meaning of life, how quickly life passes and other deep subjects, not one that is early enjoyed with the child who was bored within five minutes of the movie’s start. This is one that adults will want to see uninterrupted.

It was rated by the MPAA as a PG-13 for some of the themes contained in the movie. In terms of movie ratings for families, this movie is a little heavy and deep for the wee ones. It is about life, death, and everything in between. It does contain scenes of parental violence towards children, all within the context of the time period, but these might be disturbing. It is about developing spiritual values and it is not likely that the children would even see any meaning in the movie at all. Although, it is not objectionable in the normal sense in terms of movie ratings for families, it is not recommended as a family movie per se.

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