The Tree

I wanted to yank the stupid out of Dawn (Charlotte Gainsbourg). As a mother and a wife she needed to step the hell up and get her life together. As an actress, was Charlotte on drugs? It seemed that at each scene she was so detached that we weren't sure if she forgot her lines, or what.

It's about time we here in the US get to see some "real" Aussies instead of Jackman and Kidman prancing about. Marton (Csokas) has been up and down the block but still refreshing.

I would have rated this lower but I really enjoyed the overall story. Worth a watch but not a buy.

Ciao, babies.

This film is about a family that griefs the sudden death of the husband / father, as he collapsed while driving.

"The Tree" is an intensely introspective film, as it attempts to sculpt the emotional states, thoughts and feelings of the family members after the husband's death. As the husband's car hit a tree next to their house, the rest of the family have a special attachment to this tree. This attachment become central to the plot, and it requires much empathy to understand the characters' actions and motivation. The wife uses the tree for comfort, while the daughter Simone uses the tree as a replacement for her father. Even though the portrayals of the family's internal world are excellent, "The Tree" still suffers from being too slow and too plain for an average viewer.

I would like to add information about this film some people might find interesting it was actually shot in different locations in Queensland.. Winton, which actually is in the outback roughly in the middle of QLD and Boonah and the Kalbar/Tarome area not far from Boonah in South East QLD (not really the outback) Winton is over 1,350 kms from Boonah despite the geographical differences in the locations they blend seamlessly together being from the area ( The view outside my window includes the giant Moreton Bay Fig now known as "The Tree") it is amazing to see how they made these entirely different locations look like the same place as for the film it's an interesting combination of fantasy and reality light on fantasy heavy on reality it is not supposed to provide the answers to questions that arise from the family's situation it avoids, or attempts to avoid depictions of various characters reactions that are cliche even if that is to the detriment of the character or film nor does it have a neat and tidy ending that resolves all their issues and sets a clear path for the future that would seem more unreal, it is the unknown in that regard that is slightly haunting. It wasn't perfect in the acting department and was a little overlong but it had just enough puff to get me to the end. I wouldn't say the story and much of the film was enjoyable it's not that kind of film it was more like looking through a window into other peoples misfortunes and you feel lucky that that isn't you..the funny part was the frogs in the toilet and that does actually happen out here in the sticks sometimes that is not so funny.

Story of the 'The Tree' takes place in the country side of Australia. It's plot around Dawn O'Neil who is a mother of 4 children struggling to recover with the unexpected loss of her husband. When the father die the happiness of the family seems to ran far away and Dawn for months tries to understand the reality and put everything back together for her kids. But the youngest 8 year old daughter Simone fails to adapt to the situation and starts to believe that her father speaks to her via the big old tree in their garden. And when this tree becomes too unstable and threatens the house and the family Dawn has to decide if to chop the tree down amidst her daughter's objection.

The Tree has a good flow. It's filled with little events which defines the O'Neil family and how they try to cope up with the loss of their father and the protection and income. Alongside the main attention is given towards the giant tree which holds a significant value in the family and its history. Soon the viewer starts to feel like the tree is actually a family member which keeps the family in bound to each other. And it does it for good reasons.

Dawn's character is a strong one. And Charlotte Gainsbourge portrays it quite skillfully. And the performance by the little Morgana Davies who plays the sweet yet stubborn Simone does a wonderful job as well. Overall the acting in the movies is quite raw and closer to reality. Thus brings viewer in to more realism with the whole situation.

The Tree most of the time is a quite movie. With little score and few lines in between it will put the viewer in to the middle of a lonely place. But don't let that loneliness to gulp you down. Because good movies don't make much noise.

My reviews at flickshout.tk

I just finished watching The Tree, and I can not describe the feeling that I have.

This was truly a beautiful film, so touching and heartfelt. If you are expecting a tear jerking drama, then The Tree will not deliver what you want. The Tree has its sad moments, but it more focus's on the happier moments. The acting is very well done, the cinematography is stunning and the musical score is brilliant. Also, Morgana Davies is adorable! I can't wait to see how far she goes.

I highly suggest you sit down and watch the tree, it will give you a very warm feeling inside! 9/10