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Will Terrence Malick Allow Knight of Cups to Work?

By Jameson Brown · December 16, 2014

There's no doubt that Terrence Malick is a highly talented writer/director who submerges himself, his cast and his audience into the deep waters of profundity. But when is it time to say, "too much." And I'm not only referring to the lengthy voiceovers, but the [recent] contemporary explosion he has had, resulting in sometimes strange, sometimes effective POV cinematography. I have never experienced visuals so welcoming, and other times, so much of a burden to the eye (and brain). 

 

Knight of Cups feels like it's been in production for much too long, but the trailer does not disappoint. We find a wandering Rick (Christian Bale) who seems to have knowingly fallen into the deep sleep of temptation, lust and selfishness. Will he decide to wake up? Will he continue to wander? Malick needs to allow his voiceover (because let's face it, Malick is not going to make a film without that dimension) to genuinely incubate his protagonist. With To the Wonder and pieces of The Tree of Life, Malick's screenwriting drifted aimlessly into the abyss of the worlds he was trying so hard to create. Here, Malick is tackling a unique character – one who embodies new age mentalities and problems. I am excited to see that subject matter examined by Mr. Malick, but only if he lets his writing develop the character, not just float off into those pastoral sunsets he loves oh so much. 

This film will be a change of pace, as the setting is one Malick has not covered yet (he typically focuses on open spaces and nature's effect on the inhabitants in it). I say this in excitement, but with pearls of sweat raring to drip. 

Trailer Credit

Photo: Dogwood Films / Waypoint Entertainment