SPRING CRITERION MARATHON #61

Straight up beautiful. I didn't know that this was Malick's second film going in, but now that I know, I think I might be tempted to watch The Thin Red Line, The New World and Tree of Life in order of release before this marathon is finished, because so far I'm floored.

This movie is all about that fuckin' rural atmosphere and it nails it in every frame. Growing up in the middle of nowhere played a big part of why I loved this movie so much. I'm biased, but I can't lie to myself, it was a great experience.

The cinematography alone in this film is reason enough to check it out. All the gorgeous sunset shots over the wheat fields, especially with all those extras, it must have been a nightmare to shoot. Waste one minute and the sunset won't quite be the same as it shows up in the film, and those shots in particular give it an epic feel, even if it's only 90 minutes and a relatively small scale story.

Also, that Ennio Morricone score? Fuck.

Can't wait to see what he has in store for me next.