The Tree of Blood

A couple decides to write a story and solve the missing links among them as their parents have inter relationships of all nature and all in unusual way. They one by one solve the missing strings and unfold the what has happened really... To arrive at the final conclusion and so on the usual infidelity, Lesbian marriage, Organ Transplant, exotic love scenes, age difference couple, Oedipus complex, hanging relationships, tell truth to partner no matter what all possible covered . With typical bull accident usage of bull run Spanish background filmed. Cute couple and one Olmo character faithful to all human instinct crafted very well. Even the heroine of the film admires him a lot. By doing so too much of flashback is used at times a little confusing too... but over all when its a mystery to be opened it is expected. Director does that job precisely. Being very intense movie it will make complexities not easy to negotiate.

So dense, so overcrammed with stuff, is the movie The Tree of Blood that it could serve the needs of a soap opera for at least a year.

Written by director Medem in collaboration with one Scott Page-Pagter, it's full of melodramatic materials treated in a rather unmelodramatic way. The movie spans the length of Spain, from the Costa Brava to Pais Vasco, the land of the vacas on a collision course with the land of the toros. I already wrote a long review that somehow got snuffed by the browser before I could press Submit. I'm not going to summarise the plot again, not just because I'm vexed at losing my first draft, but because one can hardly keep track of everything that is tossed into the mix of this movie, even after multiple viewings.

Suffice to say, The Tree of Blood has all the themes, all the elements of classic Medem, so if you know his stuff you'll probably feel this movie is a sort of artistic summation, but not necessarily the summit of his artistry. Realistically there's far too much, but on the plus side it sure ain't boring. Just a bit too busy, ping-ponging from one crisis to another.

I'll tell you, there are doubtless many reasons why a viewer might be reluctant to revisit a movie, even one they liked. Perhaps because of one tough scene, or a plot twist that spoiled things, or just because it is too exhausting an experience to want to go through it all again any time soon. How often could you sit through The Passion of the Christ, for example? Once a decade. In this case, an overdose of sex appeal is the sticking point. Actor Joaquin Furriel, in the role of Olmo, is so hyper-masculine he scarcely appears human, more like a werewolf in a man costume. He's matched by the unbearably hot Ursula Corbero, playing the role of Rebeca; adult Rebeca, I should say, since there is also baby Rebeca, six-year old Rebeca, young teen Rebeca, all different actresses. Corbero flaunts a body that offers both enlightenment and despair to the wondering (wandering) eye of the spectator. After such knowledge what hope?

The movie has a massive complication of details, scenes, events, plot points, all tangled together like the roots of the tree, all separated like long hair brushed before bed, all arranged to make a picture like tiny pieces of colour in a mosaic. The construction, the visual beauty, these things make Tree of Blood successful. But what actually happens is pure, mad, melodrama. Melodrama, eroticism, mystery, magical realism, all thrown together to make some kind of crazy punch drink. Take a shot of it and you'll be spinning.

A peculiar experience. A movie in which politics is self-consciously avoided but immorality and criminality, and of the most repugnant kind, are not only embraced but excused. It's an invigorating movie, packed with incidents, but in another way it's appalling.

Watch this movie to witness a really unique way of recap and story telling. And watch this for the most beautiful Spanish countrysides.

Two young lovers join hands together to document the history of both families. They remember events about their parents, grandparents and closed family friends. And realize finally how they are still together.

This way of storytelling is really different, but the incidents and events happened in their and their parent's lives are quite strange and abnormal. Frankly, I enjoyed this one only because of the unique representation and because of exceptionally beautiful locations and shots.

With a lot of branches and a lot of secrets ... and a lot of timelines too. You may wonder from time to time or start the guessing game (as to where this is heading), but it will still have surprises along the way. It will also have nudity and violence on full display.

So if any of this is offensive to you - you might want to stear clear from this. Certain things have to happen and the going back and forth (no pun intended) serves the story well. The acting is good and if you are into mystery you will cherish what this tries and achieves to do. Solid as a rock and another example of a good thriller coming from Spain

Yet another great Spanish movie. It provokes you to engage in the storyline emotionally. The plot follows the pace of the events, which just overtake you. Crucial and underestimated subjects are discussed (or not) as secrecy, sacrifice, devotion, sense of duty, decency. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts. The amazing thing is, it embraces you to feel and think along the movie. You are allowed to create your own opinion, through your perspective, there are no boundaries, no villains or heroes. Just people following their intuition and feelings. The realism of it, contrasts the surrealism of the events, without the one overshadowing the other. I didn't find it slow. Each character was allowed enough screentime to be understood completely. I admired the metaphors, the symbolism, the use of tradition and its impact on peoples' insticts. That's what European cinematography is about. Amazing movie. Investment of time.