THE NEW WORLD
Agonizingly slow, loaded with voiceover, repetitive visually, & containing less than 20 min. of actual dialogue within a 2-1/2 hour story, director Terence Malick's romantic opus could send some audiences to the exits early while offering savvy date-night folk the perfect 'make-out' opportunity (reserve the back row)!
2-1/2 stars (out of 4) [(2005)USA/New Line/Rated PG-13] - (2 hrs. 29 min.)
(In English with some Algonquian dialogue)
Written & directed by Terrence Malick
Lead characters/Cast
Capt. John Smith - Colin Farrell
Pocahontas/Rebecca - Q'orianka Kilcher
Supporting characters/Cast
Captain Newport - Christopher Plummer
John Rolfe (Later settler/'Rebecca's husband) - Christian Bale
Powhatan - August Schellenberg
Opechancanough - Wes Studi
Captain Wingfield - David Thewlis
Review (long version of film**):
This very artistic photo essay is possibly the make-out flick of the century. While not as long as the hopelessly romantic "Titanic," this film IS long enough for even the most awkward first dater to get in that first move (no excuse for not making it to second base on this one).
Practically wordless, especially the scenes with Pocohontas and John Smith, the visual power of the scenes with heartthrob Colin Farrell ("Alexander") will heat up your date's loins and make her easy pickings.
It's Malick, folks, and this guy has only made 4 films in the past 32 years (re: "Badlands," "Days of Heaven," and "The Thin Red Line") so it automatically demands a look, especially considering the fact that it's visually MADE for viewing on the BIG SCREEN (just ignore the sparse plotting and verbiage and feast your EYES!).
And remember, the REAL star of this film is not Farrell or newbie Q'orianka Kilcher, but Emmanuel Lubezki the cinematographer. Somehow he captures a lush outdoor look while managing the nearly impossible feat of hand-held widescreen photography.
Big-screen fans may recall his equally excellent work in "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," "Ali," "Sleepy Hollow," and "Meet Joe Black."
I would highly recommend this film for anyone that enjoyed Malick's "Days of Heaven," another film that owed a lot to the work the of the photographer (Nestor Almendros).
I'm no art lover by any stretch, but this will probably get a re-watch from me (with a DATE)!
[**NOTE: This film was shortened after its initial 'Oscar' qualifying run. It now runs 2 hrs. 12 min. (if I catch this version I'll add a second review, but if I bring my girlfriend I'm not sure how much of it I'll actually see ... ]
[Final note: NO nudity guys, squeaky clean. AND, no one says the word 'Pocahontas' in the entire film - go figure?]
Crew:
Cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki
Original Score by James Horner
MORE cast:
Captain Argall - Yorick Van Wageningen
Ben - Ben Mendelsohn
Tomocomo - Raoul Trujillo
Lewes - Brian F. O'Byrne
Pocahontas' Mother - Irene Bedard
Savage - John Savage
Emery - Jamie Harris
Patawomeck's Wife - Alex Rice
Rupwew - Michael Greyeyes
Parahunt - Kalani Queypo
Selway - Noah Taylor
King James - Jonathan Pryce
Queen Anne - Alexandra Malick
Jehu Robinson - Ben Chaplin
Virginia Company Representative - Roger Rees
Two Moons - Rulan Tangen
The New World trailers (old links, may or may not work): MOVIE website
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