By Andrew Benjamin
Compared to most films of today The New World is like reading a beautiful a piece of poetry in motion.
The film is set during the 17th century and follows a group of Englishmen looking to establish a colony in Virginia. The Native Americans who currently occupy the area resent this intrusion, and rebellious sailor John Smith (Colin Farrell) is sent by his captain Christopher Newport (Christopher Plummer) to make peace. Captured and awaiting exectution, Smith is saved by the chief’s daughter, Pocahontas (Q’Orianka Kilcher). What follows is the tale of the famous love story between Smith and Pocahontas that will be tested through war and bloodshed.
The traditional Hollywood historical epic is all about big shots, fancy costumes and overly long battle sequences. The New World, however, avoids becoming a clichéd epic. Instead, it focuses on a great story, combining legend and facts to tell a mythical tale of romance. The movie does not present itself as a history textbook but more in the style of a romance novel. Throughout most of the film, Pocahontas and Smith dominate the screen with true love.
Most epics have one narrator; this one breaks convention and allows the audience to hear the thoughts and feelings of Smith and Pocahontas, as well as Smith’s rival, John Rolfe (Christian Bale.)
The movie is visually stunning. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki beautifully captures 17th century America. Scenes of overall happiness have vibrant colors. As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and that can certainly be applied to this film, which has little on-screen dialogue. Much of the credit must be given to writer/director Terence Malick who through music, actors and cinematography is able to capture emotion without uttering a single word.
Ultimately, what makes this film work so well is that it, just like a poem, can be interpreted in so many ways. Is this story about true love prevented by culture clashes? The cruelty that Native Americans suffered at the hands of settlers? An outsider adjusting to a lifestyle she is forced to live? This film brings up these questions, but does not give a definitive answer. One should go into this movie not expecting to see a film cranked out by the Hollywood machine, but with an open mind.
