Year of Release: 1973
Director: Terrence Malick
Starring: Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek, Warren Oates, Ramon Bieri, Alan Vint, Gary Littlejohn, John Carter, Dona Baldwin
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 8
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Synopsis and Review:
Director Terrence Malick made his feature directorial debut with "Badlands", which premiered in October of 1973. The film follows the story of Kit and Holly, a young couple who are living in South Dakota in the late 1950s. Kit is working menial jobs, while Holly is in high school. They become enamored of each other, much to Holly's father disapproval. When Kit tries to take Holly away, the situation escalates and Kit shoots him. Kit plans and decides for both of them to escape the small town, burning Holly's house in the process in order to create an alibi. They soon become hunted for the crime, something that makes violence quickly escalate in succession.
Terrence Malick who was quickly hailed as one of the most interesting film makers of the 70s, based on this film and the following, the beautiful "Days of Heaven", has by now made a name for himself as one of the most stylistic and unique directors working these days. Even if his latest films feel shallow and inconsequential, and are indeed miles away from what he accomplished with "Badlands". The film builds the relationship between this doomed couple without much sensationalism - the relationship slowly unfolds, with the director allowing for both characters to be flushed out. As the violence escalates, it's interesting how Terrence Malick makes it part of the story being told, but not the core of that same story (this isn't after all, a different version of Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers", still a fantastic satire on the cult of violence). The film already features a lot of traits that would become staples in Terrence Malick's work, namely the communion of Man and Nature, and the poetry that can be found in the latter. It also captures a humane and heartfelt relationship between the leads, excellently portrayed by Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek (Spacek was a relative newcomer, but Martin Sheen had been acting for quite some time). The central relationship defines the core of the film, with the young lovers escaping throughout isolated fields in South Dakota, as they try to make their way to Texas. It's a beautiful film, excellently shot, with a clearly defined storyline, peppered with humor, warmth and brutality. Worth watching.
Terrence Malick who was quickly hailed as one of the most interesting film makers of the 70s, based on this film and the following, the beautiful "Days of Heaven", has by now made a name for himself as one of the most stylistic and unique directors working these days. Even if his latest films feel shallow and inconsequential, and are indeed miles away from what he accomplished with "Badlands". The film builds the relationship between this doomed couple without much sensationalism - the relationship slowly unfolds, with the director allowing for both characters to be flushed out. As the violence escalates, it's interesting how Terrence Malick makes it part of the story being told, but not the core of that same story (this isn't after all, a different version of Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers", still a fantastic satire on the cult of violence). The film already features a lot of traits that would become staples in Terrence Malick's work, namely the communion of Man and Nature, and the poetry that can be found in the latter. It also captures a humane and heartfelt relationship between the leads, excellently portrayed by Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek (Spacek was a relative newcomer, but Martin Sheen had been acting for quite some time). The central relationship defines the core of the film, with the young lovers escaping throughout isolated fields in South Dakota, as they try to make their way to Texas. It's a beautiful film, excellently shot, with a clearly defined storyline, peppered with humor, warmth and brutality. Worth watching.
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