Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
Gurlyndrobb
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Phillipa
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
shanilvirani
Enjoyed the film and definitely worth the watch. The ending, however, ruined the film for me. We didn't need the last 10-15 mins where everything is tidied up for us. It would have lead to much more thought, conversation, and made the film more compelling.
jollylolly
SEA OF TREES : 6/10 .I have to admit, this movie is quite painful to sit through because there are mainly dialogues and flashbacks. Nonetheless, i did enjoy the beautiful scenery of the infamous japanese's 'suicide forest'. The movie began to show some interesting bits around 30mins towards the end, twist of plot, of course. the ending is nice.
jimbillc
Excellent movie that makes you really think about how life has many twists and turns and sometimes can be pretty rough for a while, and yet as we persevere we eventually see why things happen in our lives the way that they do. Our lives are really a series of unique tests that are individually tailored to each of us so that we can gain useful and crucial experience that helps us grow and be able to deal with each next step we take on our journey of life.The movie has a lot of parallels with Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life: Think of the Japanese man, Takumi Nakamura, that Arthur Brennan meets in the forest as It's a Wonderful Life's Clarence the Angel who jumps off the bridge right as George Bailey is almost ready to jump off, because he knows that George will instinctively jump off to save him, instead of taking his own life. Takumi and Arthur's subsequent conversations and journey trying to find their way back to the trail/parking lot is a lot like George Bailey in the end wanting to get back to his life that he hadn't previously thought of as being anything close to a wonderful life. Very last scene of It's a Wonderful Life is the written message George Bailey receives from Clarence in a copy of Tom Sawyer that states. " No man's life is a failure who has friends." Near the end of Sea of Trees Arthur receives the book Hansel and Gretel in which there is a message from the Takumi that has the season and color that is Matthew's wife's favorite season and color.
jdonalds-5
I'm a big fan of Matthew McConaughey, and Naomi Watts isn't bad either. I'm surprised those big name stars let themselves to this snoozer of a movie.This was just about the biggest waste of nearly two hours. I watched it all the way through but was bored to tears on top of being depressed by it. The acting was fine, the story would have had some merit, but the direction just sucked the life out of this project. I paid attention to the rating and didn't do my research before watching it. My mistake.Looking through the filmography of director Gus Van Sant I see that this is the only movie by him that I've watched. And I watch a lot of movies. I'll be sure not to watch any of his other projects either.There was a decent story, although predictable, behind this work, but the way it was presented would put anyone to sleep. Also if you have a tendency toward depression and suicide I suggest you don't even give this a try.This has to be put at the bottom of my all time favorite list.
