MovieChat Forums > The Thin Red Line (1999) Discussion > Can someone help me understand why someo...

Can someone help me understand why someone would hate this movie?

posted 9 years ago by jonruff108
32 replies | jump to latest

This is one of the two films I've ever seen that has stayed with me each day after I saw it the first time. There are normal everyday occurrences in my every day life that constantly remind me of the themes expressed in the Thin Red Line. In my opinion, the movie is absolutely incredible. I just purchased the Criterion Collection bluray of the movie and it. Is. Stunning. There was obviously some sort of joke at the Oscars that year because however the hell it didn't win best cinematography is beyond my intellectual capabilities. The acting was superb as well. The music by Hans Zimmer was gorgeous and VERY underrated. The direction was intricate yet very natural - basically the movie is a masterpiece.

Now, I will admit that the film has a narrative that is hard to follow but if you know anything about Malick it's that you shouldn't be focused on the narrative but rather the images presented and the story being told with them (It's called visual storytelling, if you were wondering. Yes, that's a thing).

If you thought it was boring, then, I don't really know what to say. I respect others opinions but sometimes (more than sometimes) I really feel like this movie gets way too much hate for unknown reasons. Are people still butt-hurt that it wasn't Saving Private Ryan 2? Come on guys....

"As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible" - Mr. Nobody
My ratings include TV shows

[–] morpheusownsall 8 years ago

You owe it to those who died to make a film that has some sort of a narrative, not a pretentious nature movie.

Great visuals, horrible film.

[–] kenny-164 8 years ago

^
I wouldn't expect someone who watches the kinds of film you watch to get this film.

[–] userrrrr 8 years ago

because they're foghats

🐙

[–] android_movie 8 years ago

It's not realistic. It romanticizes war.

Show me the holes!

[–] generationofswine 8 years ago

Malik just comes off as pretentious in everything he does, even war movies. He tries so hard to be avant garde and artistic that, when all is said & done, you're left with a hollow movie that's as beautiful as it is impersonal.

"Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop."

[–] lawnfurniture11 8 years ago

I generally just think people dislike it because of the narrative. Admittedly, I was mesmerized by the movie until it reached the 2 hour mark and then it seemed to just kind of drag on without any real focus until it just kind of ended. It's a great movie, but I can kind of see where Roger Ebert was coming from when he said it felt unfinished and confused.

[–] bi-azh 8 years ago

I can totally agree with what you have written here. I had the same experience. And of course it will always be compared with the Spielberg-film, because of the time of its appearance and the topic. The discussion can be endless because we all are different persons with different knowlegde, experience, age and so on.
I don't know much about the historical truths and don't care. It wasn't important for my viewing experience. And it worked for me, I didn't feel that it was pretentious as some are saying here, but I felt repelled by the false pathos in the SPR.
The music, the philosophy and the pictures of TRL came together as one piece, I could tune in and was touched deeply.
By the way - I was on a concert of Hans Zimmer and of the huge amount of music that he has written over the years he choose Journey to the Line as on of 12 scores that he performed live. With choir and big orchestra and light-effects it was overwhelming. You can find videos of the concerts in youtube.

[–] eldoradofilm2 8 years ago

You need to be equipped with certain feelings and emotions, otherwise it is a waste of time. It deals with important inner Life issues, not killing Japs or Nazi's. What an experience. As strong as it was 18 years ago. I feel sorry for those who can't relate to the humanity and poetry of it.

[–] jerryhammond38 7 years ago

You either feel Malick or you don't. Every movie of his has the same kind of arguments. I love him for the feelings,and emotions his movies evoke. I do understand why some don't enjoy his films.

I think both this and SPR got robbed at the Oscars that year.

[–] SamoanJoes 7 years ago

For me there are too many long, self-indulgent, pointless scenes spread out in a nearly three hour long film.