The New World

Every now and then, director Terrence Malick gets off his lazy ass and makes a masterpiece. This time, he addresses the story of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas in a way nobody could’ve ever expected. Some will gripe about the movie’s length (2 hours and 30 minutes, which is shorter than the version screened for critics a couple of months ago). There is no doubt that Malick is a director willing to take his time in putting across his vision, and that technique works beautifully with this film. The visuals, the soundtrack and the performances are all stunning. Colin Farrell plays Smith, a troublemaker who gets a new lease on life when his expedition lands in Jamestown and encounters Native Americans, including Pocahontas (the extraordinary Q’Orianka Kilcher). There’s immediacy and honesty in the way Malick films this story, and for those who like his movies (Badlands, The Thin Red Line) it’s remarkable viewing. For those looking for things to blow up real good, this movie is not for you.