New World

Review 1 of 6

Seacliff writes:

4of 4 Stars

I saw this film with two friends; one didn't like it and the other almost left before it ended. It seems this is a film that evokes quite polarized responses, perhaps because its directorial style is atypical and strongly appeals to only certain sensibilities. (I also loved Days of Heaven and Of Rivers and Tides.) I think many will object to the slow (for some, interminable) pacing and the paucity of lengthy dialogue. This isn't a plot-driven film. The story is quite simple. However, I think it portrays in a remarkable way a plausible and compelling version of a pivotal point in history as experienced by a uniquely spiritual young woman. The photography, I think, is also outstanding.

Mar 11, 2006 21:48:29

Review 2 of 6

jpgoose writes:

1of 4 Stars

Ponderous is a word best describing this slow moving journey to nowhere. After a promising start, the basic story of John Smith and his New World Maiden transforms ever so subtilely into an onion peeled one agonizing layer at a time. Accompanied by a beautiful but seemingly (after 12 replays) monotonous soundtrack that had me ready to run out of the theatre by the time the credits appeared. The actors performance was nothing short of respectable; unfortunately their resumes will now reflect they were participants in a snooze fest. The film had resources, Actors, Camera Work, Location, Costumes all very workable...unfortunately it was one good director short.
Peter, this was the first film in a long time I disagreed with your point of view.

Feb 8, 2006 16:35:15

Review 3 of 6

mmoston writes:

Not Rated

I believe the piece you are thinking of is the prelude (Vorspeil)
from Wagner's Das Rheingold.
I just got back from the movie and I'm enchanted- I love the
breadth and expanse of Terrence Malick's films and their
philasophical spirit.

Jan 24, 2006 21:32:05

Review 4 of 6

DaveyK writes:

3of 4 Stars

I enjoyed the natural beauty scenes immensely, but what I would like to know is the name of the main musical theme that appears many times in the film... not composed by the listed film composer. Name and composer. It is a classic, to be sure.

Thanks.

Jan 20, 2006 21:49:58

Review 5 of 6

fotcprez writes:

2of 4 Stars

I attended the premiere of this movie Thursday the 5th of Jan at the Palm Springs Film Festival. Yes, the movie is beautiful, and yes, the young actors are interesting, but Beauty is too much & the script must have been the thinnest in movie history. The sound editing was bad, with background music too loud and Colin Ferrell's lines were mumbled, when he spoke at all. His biggest role was looking like a sad-eyed mute through most of the film (Christian Bale was more animated and he only appeared in the last part of the movie). And poor Christoper Plummer- 2 scenes!
Editing was jumpy, with actors appearing in different positions from one shot to the next. There were so many "fade to black" scenes, I could almost see it already edited for TV (insert commercial here). Continuity seemed bad--Indians & settlers cooperating in one scene and fighting the next. Pocahontas gives birth to a baby--is it John Smith (whom she tells in gestures as "baby") or her husband's?
All together, this movie needs more editing and cleaning up before being considered as a "great film!"

Jan 8, 2006 16:56:09

Review 6 of 6

jurgenwolff writes:

1of 4 Stars

Beautiful but tedious.

Dec 24, 2005 02:00:15