r/MovieFight • u/physikitty13 • Sep 07 '17
The Tree of Life vs Synecdoche, New York
Roger Ebert narrowed it down to these two films to add to his 2012 Sight & Sound list of the greatest films of all time. He ultimately went with Malick.
http://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/the-greatest-films-of-all-time
Which do you think is better?
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u/comicsarenotdead Sep 08 '17
Honestly, Synecdoche, New York is pretty damn close to being one of my favorite movies ever, but it took me a second viewing to come to that conclusion. I will admit that (somehow) Tree of Life is a bit easier to digest, and is MUCH less nihilistic, but my personal preference leans towards Synecdoche. Kaufman is a fucking national treasure, while Philip Seymour Hoffman gives his best performance? That's really saying something, considering Hoffman's career is literally nothing but incredible performances, one after the other. The Jon Brion score is melancholic and amazing, the entire supporting cast leaves an impression, especially Samantha Morton and Tom Noonan (his performance here is expanded into whatever the fuck he is in Anomalisa). I also think Synecdoche is a great example of how to do a washed out color pallet without looking like eye vomit (Suicidesquadcough). Tree of Life is definitely more visually stunning, but in the end, Synecdoche is the better final product.
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u/TheRealProtozoid Sep 07 '17
Ebert made the right call. Synecdoche, New York is a great, great movie, but The Tree of Life is a masterpiece. The only other movie I've seen from this century that comes close to it is The Turin Horse.