MovieChat Forums > Enter the Void (2010) Discussion > Enter the Void vs. The Tree of Life

Enter the Void vs. The Tree of Life

posted 10 years ago by cyborg264
8 replies | jump to latest

First off, I just want to say that I watched Antichrist (2009) and Enter the Void back to back within 24 hours. I've seen some cinema but watching those two back to back is not recommended as life does start to seem bleak afterwards. Very heavy stuff.

Anyway, I just wanted to start a thread about Enter the Void and The Tree of Life and the similarities or differences between the abstract ways the films were directed, presented, understood.

I find both have a lot of similarities and handle a very deep question, who are we and where are we heading?

I personally found The Tree of Life to be harder to follow as to me it was much more symbolic and abstract but I also feel that even if The Tree of Life is the less favored of the two for my taste that it was able to allegorically bring to light the intangible better than Enter the Void. I feel this speaks directly of the writers and directors of each film. I would make the assumption from that that Terrence Malick has a deeper understanding of the psyche than does Gaspar Noé.

Go.

[–] nick_reynolds2011 9 years ago

EXCELLENT topic & comparison in my opinion. I immediately thought this as well after I saw each film. On the surface is seems as if they couldn't be more different -- yet really there are so many parallels.

I discussed this with a friend and he offered this analysis:

Enter the Void is like hell's version of life & death. It's incredibly dark & claustrophobic, where as Tree of Life would be heaven's version per se -- wide open and full of light. Both film's imagery and atmosphere are polar opposites. But yet essentially they're the same (or very, very similar) film. I don't know. It's really difficult to explain. And the use of hell & heaven doesn't have to be in a literal religious sense. It's just that one is dark & hellish where as the other is on the other end of the spectrum.

At their cores they're incredibly similar films.

[–] jonruff108 9 years ago

Enter the Void is like hell's version of life & death. It's incredibly dark & claustrophobic, where as Tree of Life would be heaven's version per se -- wide open and full of light.

Holy *beep* this perfectly describes both films when comparing. It's interesting to talk about heaven and hell because like you said, neither film specifically talks about it but they both HEAVILY imply it. Hell for most of Enter the Void's duration and Heaven at the end of the Tree of Life.

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

[–] hasank 8 years ago

That is one of the things that came to my mind after watching Enter the Void. I personally found EtV more convincing than more grandeous attempt of ToL. The latter speaks from a higher and longer aspect on life -even more theological. Enter the void, avoiding the most important reincarnation story- is more concrete, more accurate in terms of sex and love, its central place. It is down to earth, again avoiding that reincarnation *beep*

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] NotASpeckOfCereal 8 years ago

Why do people make such dark, dark, films? To fill the void or avoid it?

To explain it. It's just another interpretation, but it helps the writer and some of the viewers to find meaning.

Many times and in many ways mankind has tried to explain the beginnings of the universe (and I don't mean in a scientific way), where we come from, where we go, what the after death experience is like, what reincarnation is, what the next plane of existence my be, how to cope with existential meanings of this so-called mortal-plane, etc.

I finished Tree of Life, but like many (but not all) of Terrence Malick films, it didn't answer any questions. Even Sean Penn said that he wasn't sure what he was doing there.

I tried to finish Enter The Void, but after about 1.5 hours, I had to stop, which is a rare thing for me (to quit a film). I know that I probably missed something at the end, but I wasn't feeling that the time investment was turning out to be worth it.

I recognized the hard work that went into this film in respect of production -- everything location prep to cinematography and vision -- but the story was "meh, I see what they're doing". I kept holding on to see if it was something more than just Oscar's life flashing before his eyes, as Alex described that it would, but it didn't seem to be doing much more.

Again, I realize that if there was a wiz-bang ending, I missed it. But I'm not sure there was, or if there it was worth the wait.

Edit: this is all in addition to the other flaws, such as him saying to the Police that he had a gun (why would he do that?), and the police shooting into the bathroom with the door closed (why would they do that?), and several other story points that were difficult to get past.

Be sure to proof your posts to see if you any words out

[–] simian_ninja 8 years ago

They are two completely different beasts. That being said, I've always been a fan of Terrence Malick film's ever since I watched The Thin Red Line.

I appreciate Enter The Void but in all honesty, I find it incredibly boring. Most likely because I can't connect with the protagonist at all. I think Oscar is a douche and couldn't care about his journey whatsoever. But the film itself is an interesting experience.

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Death is the standard breach for a complex prize.

[–] kmags84 8 years ago

I think one major difference in Noe and Malick is maturity. I don't say that as a slight against Noe, he's a fine filmmaker and I love anyone who takes fresh approaches to their craft... But Malick is a TRUE Philosopher. An Existentialist. He studied and taught for what, 20 years after Days of Heaven? Malick is probably the Deepest Filmmaker on the Planet, I truly mean that. So to compare the two is impossible. Malick just thinks on a level that not many can or ever will. Noe is a more grounded version. He relates more to the younger generation and I think that's a good thing. We need as many talented voices as possible.

[–] LoroHusk 7 years ago

I respect your opinion, but pls don't say stuff like that:

"So to compare the two is impossible"

It is not. Even you are doing it ;)