Sean Penn has spoken out against the final edit of Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
His character, the adult version of Jack, bookends the story and was a more significant role in earlier drafts. In the final film however he’s been somewhat pushed to the sidelines
Penn tells French newspaper Le Figaro that “I didn’t at all find on the screen the emotion of the script, which is the most magnificent one that I’ve ever read. A clearer and more conventional narrative would have helped the film without, in my opinion, lessening its beauty and its impact. Frankly, I’m still trying to figure out what I’m doing there and what I was supposed to add in that context. What’s more, Terry himself never managed to explain it to me clearly.”
Penn added “It’s a film I recommend on the condition that one go only without preconceptions. It’s up to each to find a personal emotional or spiritual connection. Those that reach this generally leave very moved.”
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