The Tree

Peter O'Neil dies suddenly in front of his family. His wife Dawn (Charlotte Gainsbourg) is devastated and she's left with four kids to care for in the outbacks of Australia. The girl Simone starts talking to the giant tree next to their home. Its roots are getting into the pipe and a giant branch crashes into the home. She gets a job at the plumbing supply store and starts a relationship with owner George. Her neighbors want her to cut down the tree before the roots get into their pipes. Simone defends the tree against George claiming to hear her father.

This is a slower, meandering story like a tree slowly strangling the house. It has a dreamy feel. Some of it looks beautiful but some of it gently rocks the audience to sleep. It has some appeal but mostly, it's a low intensity tale. The neighbors could have given more tension. In the end, the storm is a convenient way to blow all the story branches away.