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The New World
Directed by: Terrence Malick
Starring: Colin Farrell
Genre:
Drama/Romance
Run Time: 135 min.
Release Date:
January 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
THE NEW WORLD has
many detractors. Most comment on the slow pace of the film, and this is
undeniably so. "It's like watching grass grow" is the commonly heard
cliché. I'm not here to defend the speed at which this story unfolds; it
is slow. But it's also beautifully put together.
Try this: You're in a raft on a placidly flowing river. Trees wash by,
animals nibble grasses on the shores, the sky illuminates a beautiful
blue above and below while the sun warms your legs. The rapids are few
and easily navigated, allowing you time to view everything around you.
Sound boring? Or comfortable? If this sounds like death, stay away from
The New World. If it sounds pleasant and enjoyable, give the film a try.
What I enjoyed was the how the story dribbled into the viewer's lap. It
roiled around you like a cool mountain stream and allowed time for
everything to come into focus. This isn't Disney's Pocahontas; this is
how the Jamestown Settlement came to be, in all its boringness and
beauty.
Colin Farrell (MIAMI
VICE) stars as Captain John Smith, one of the founders of the
original colonies. He and his shipmates arrive in the Americas and are
soon building a fort while the leader of the group, Captain Christopher
Newport (Christopher Plummer,
INSIDE MAN), heads back to Europe to resupply and
bring more colonists.
Meanwhile, Jamestown is nearly overrun by disease, power struggles, and
the native Indians. Amidst all this, Captain Smith meets up with
Pocahontas (Q'Orianka Kilcher), the pretty and inquisitive daughter of a local chieftain. It
is her generosity that allows these first colonists to survive, and it
is mainly because of her love for Smith.
After Captain Smith leaves the colony in search of better lands up
north, it is wrongly reported to Pocahontas that her love perished in a
shipping accident. Thus she despairs and eventually falls for John Rolfe
(Christian Bale, THE
PRESTIGE), a tobacco farmer.
Pocahontas is later requested by the King and Queen of England to come
to Court and meet them …and she does. Thus, we have two new worlds being
discovered: one for the Europeans (America), and one for the Native
Americans (England and Europe).
Pocahontas later learns that Captain Smith is still alive. It is a
bitter realization and she has to decide whom to stay with, Smith or
Rolfe.
It is the beautiful cinematography of The New World that really pulls
the viewer in. Some have complained that it should have won Best
Cinematography at the Oscars and not
MEMOIRS OF A
GEISHA. I disagree.
The New World is extremely beautiful to watch, no doubt, but I feel
Memoirs of a Geisha was a bit better on the eyes.
The wondrous musical score was another boon for the film. Surrounding
the viewer/listener in an emulsion of color and sound, the music made
for some powerful moments. Terrence Malick, director, knows how to
engage an audience. But it's not going to capture all those who watch
it.
In a society where action sells better than art, this film will be lost
to many. Don't get me wrong, I love action films just as much as anyone.
But it's not a necessary ingredient for a movie such as this. The
authenticity (as seen on the DVD's extra features) will astound many; I
know it blew me away. The re-creation of the settlement, the Native
American huts, the battle gear, etc, are all pulled from archaeological
records and sources. Impressive.
It's also noteworthy to mention how little dialogue there is in the
film. Terrence Malick prefers to let the scenes speak for themselves
rather than have actors and actresses voices spoil the moment.
I guess what it boils down to is this: If you don't like art films that
focus on nuance rather than specifics, stay away from The New World. But
if you don't mind letting your mind meander through a burbling set of
scenes, you'll probably delight in this film.
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Image from The New World
DVD cost: $9.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Native American cast
members had to learn the Algonquin language. 3000 people speak this
language today, many of whom were hired by producers to teach cast
members.
Movie Quote: "Why
do you shrink from me?"
Other Actors/Actresses
from The New World
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