Is it merely a coincidence that the greatest cinematic work of art to appear in America in 2005 would be shown in the very back of only one theater in my entire city? Or that a large percentage of the audience spent the entire film either sighing, sleeping, or just walking out? It’s as if audiences are screaming loudly, “Give us thrills! Give us action! But, by God, don’t give us beauty!” The rare occurrence of such a film as Terrence Malick’s The New World is proof enough that these shrill and misguided voices are being heard quite clearly. But for those who prefer the quiet, meditative, subtle, and poetic, this is it.
Malick is not concerned with recreating actual history, although no attempts to sensationalize are made; he instead sets out to capture a moment long lost in time - the moment where the “New” World actually was new and the wonder as to the possibilities that lie ahead was infinite. The film opens in 1607 as Jamestown is established and John Smith (Colin Farrell) encounters Pocahontas (Q’Orianka Kilcher). Malick explores not only their relationship, but also the one between the British settlers and the Native Americans. Fortunately, he doesn’t present either in the stereotypical fashion with neither the Native Americans as savages nor the settlers as land-hungry monsters. In a year of highly political films, this film is sharply not — but for good reason.
And the reason is this: Malick has captured the essence of an idea that we refer to as distinctly American: that the frontier is always open to those who are determined and work hard. Isn’t that what is still commonly called the “American Dream?” Despite whatever mythbusting can be done, it’s what we fiercely maintain, and Malick shows us the origin of our fantasy. Through lyrical voice-over narration, John Smith speaks of arriving at a new world of freedom from unnecessary and burdensome taxation and where wealth resides not in the hands of the few but in every hand that’s willing to put in hard work. It doesn’t matter that it’s true, but that we believe it. Who doesn’t think he or she can better oneself or be successful in America?
Article comments
1 - Mark Bryan
I was born here in Virginia and it feels good to know that this movie is a steppin' stone to the world spotlight in 2007! Yeah,it's a'lil drawn out,but the scenery is gorgeous as well as Q'orianka Kilcher! My great grandfather who was half English was JOHN SMITH JOHNSON! Had he lived to see this movie,I think he would've been proud of it!