Days of Heaven

(Ronsardian) Ode To Linda M.

How refreshing to have narration be
Commentary
That doesn't re-tell to me what I see
Oh contrary
The simple words and observations bring
A whole new level of understanding
Your haunting face
Your voice apace
Linda, you ethereal thing.

* * *

Dialogue scattered on the cutting room floor. It had served its purpose as a tool for the actors to bring their emotions to the screen, but it wasn’t needed anymore. Words weren’t going to add to the story. In fact they were in the way, cluttering up the place. They had to go--left among other pieces of the process that was explored and then discarded

. 

What to keep? 

The happy happenstance of the flock of birds caught on camera? 

Yes. 

The sand bird brought in to stand amongst the ashes? 

Yes. 

Who could have guessed what composition was going to emerge from that editing room? Perhaps future collaborators were able to divine their way into the workings of Malick’s mind and help with vision of it. They had the benefit of seeing the outcome of this film and could tell that a little trust in the creator pays off.

The Tree of Life

The film was as fluid as a daydream and just as personal. 

Childhood holds the firsts, the discoveries that never again have the same impact. Glimpses of the universal brought my own story into play and it became nearly impossible to separate the two. Whose pain was I feeling, mine or Jack’s? I flew with the mother. My gullibility disappeared with R.L.'s. The father's hand (and dinosaur claw) pushed, pushed--stay down, comply, look. The mother's hand brushed lightly, to distract, as if to say, avert, look away. There was ugliness in both as well as beauty. For no one is complete, but all is made well and whole in the wave of redemptive power.

At moments of frustration, where I wanted to know what I was supposed to understand, I recalled Clovis and sdedalus’ modern art advice. Stop trying. Experience it. That made all the difference. All that needed to be clear, was and the rest…well, that’s for another viewing.