Matt's Movie Reviews logo
Custom Search
AWFUL
POOR
GOOD
EXCELLENT
MASTERPIECE
*
**
***
****
*****
iTunes subscribes
Youtube image
Song to Song poster

CAST
MICHAEL FASSBENDER
RYAN GOSLING
ROONEY MARA
CATE BLANCHETT
LINDA EMOND
HOLLY HUNTER
VAL KILMER
LYKKE LI
BERENICE MARLOHE
NATALIE PORTMAN
TOM STURRIDGE

WRITTEN BY
TERRENCE MALICK

PRODUCED BY
NICOLAS GONDA
SARAH GREEN
KEN KAO

DIRECTED BY
TERRENCE MALICK

GENRE
DRAMA
MUSIC
ROMANCE

RATED
AUS:M
UK:15
USA:R

RUNNING TIME
129 MIN

SONG TO SONG (2017)

An immersive experience of strong spiritual and emotional value, Song to Song pushes Terrence Malick’s unique cinematic formula to its zenith in this story of lost souls combating the rigours of temptation.

There is no denying that Terrence Malick is one of the most singular creative filmmakers working today. He’s also one of the more divisive. Since the release of 2011’s The Tree of Life (his best work yet), the famed auteur has stuck to crafting non-linear, poetic meditations on life, love and the soul through a uniquely Christian perspective. The results both breathtaking and frustrating. Song to Song continues with that trend, and what an experience it is: sweeping, challenging, and stimulating both emotionally and spiritually.

MMR Top 150 banner

Set in the music scene of Austin, Texas, Song to Song focuses on a love triangle between up and coming singer songwriters BV (Ryan Gosling) and Faye (Rooney Mara), and music mogul Cook (Michael Fassbender) who exploits the dreams of both before moving on to impressionable teacher Rhonda (Natalie Portman). Cate Blanchett and Berenice Marlohe also feature as characters caught up in this whirlwind of romance and betrayal.

Malick presents their story in a style that can only be described as his own. With long time cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki providing breathtaking visuals, Malick sweeps his camera throughout various Austin locales and music festivals, as whispered narration and improvised dialogue threads feature throughout. At 129 minutes this can be a frustrating experience to endure. Malick no doubt has carte-blanche on all creative decisions on his work, and it is well deserved. But it would have done wonders if someone, anyone, could have convinced Malick to cut 20 minutes from the film’s final running time.

Yet from great endurance comes great reward, and Song to Song is filled with riches both pleasing to the eye and fulfilling for the soul. In his delve into love outlasting the destructive power of temptation, Malick’s latest cinematic experiment is filled with a spiritual depth and emotional pull that is hard to shake after the credits role.

Although pacing is an issue, the moments when Song to Song does hit its stride immerses with its story and characters, who are beautifully and engrossingly portrayed by a talented cast who take to Malick’s meditative approach with ease. Gosling is at his charismatic, pensive best. Fassbender is simply a force of nature as a manipulator of dreams. And Portman is heartbreaking as a spent soul, too far-gone for redemption. Especially strong is Mara, the two-time Oscar nominee heartbreaking in her portrayal of a songwriter whose ambition for fame leads her down dark corridors from which slithers of light are few and far between.

Malicks scope is otherworldly, yet his emotional dramatics in Song to Song are direct, hit hard, and linger long afterwards. The joys and pain these characters endure – whether it be through love of music, confliction in worth of self, and even shame for leaving behind those close to them – are incredibly potent. Coupled with Malick’s strong visual style and Christianity fuelled philosophy towards his filmmaking, there is much soul-food to chew on.   

Much like a profound homily that can be a bit too long for its own good, Song to Song has much spiritual and emotional substance in its unique style once you tap into its stride. It is not a film for everybody, but those who do plug into its peculiar wavelength will receive many rewards.

****

 

  RELATED CONTENT  
Black Snake Moan poster
Black Snake Moan
film review
The Tree of Life poster
The Tree of Life
film review
Higher Ground poster
Higher Ground
film review

 

 

Created and Edited by Matthew Pejkovic / Contact: mattsm@mattsmoviereviews.net
Logo created by Colony Graphic Design / Copyright © Matthew Pejkovic

Twitter logo
Facebook logo
    Youtube