A Hidden Life

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: December 13, 2019

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

FreddoFazbeardoApr 14, 2020

1)
I saw this movie with my dad, I liked the beginning, it was beautiful and epic, but with the rest of the minutes this movie lasted, it was worse, in my opinion, the beginning was fine but in the development and the end ... well, the last1)
I saw this movie with my dad, I liked the beginning, it was beautiful and epic, but with the rest of the minutes this movie lasted, it was worse, in my opinion, the beginning was fine but in the development and the end ... well, the last part wasn't bad.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

Compi24May 1, 2020

Christopher Plummer once famously recounted of his time with Terrence Malick on the set of "The New World," "the problem with Terry, which I soon found out, is that he needs a writer. Desperately." It certainly has been a minute since we'veChristopher Plummer once famously recounted of his time with Terrence Malick on the set of "The New World," "the problem with Terry, which I soon found out, is that he needs a writer. Desperately." It certainly has been a minute since we've seen Malick go the semi-traditional narrative route. Narratively experimental films like "The Tree Of Life," "Knight Of Cups" & "Song To Song" have confounded and frustrated both critics and normies alike. With "A Hidden Life," though, Malick seemingly gets back to the basics. One protagonist, one conflict, one point. Is it beautiful to look at? You bet. Is it well performed? Incredibly so. Are there things to cut? The cup runneth over. Oh, sweet God, does the cup runneth over. I'm not one to undermine the thematic potential in flux here. This is a tremendously powerful and admirable story of conviction and doing what feels right, despite what the world tells you. There are fascinating musings on God, duty and the folly of man all throughout. Typical Malick stuff. It's just that there's also so much filler here that could've been left on the cutting room floor. Establishing shots. Scenes of characters farming and performing menial tasks. Even entire arcs featuring ancillary characters could have been left to the wayside. And I get it. This is the Malick way, baby. It's how he's been doing things forever. But when we start talking about hours (literal HOURS) to trim off your runtime? C'mon, man. This is a frustrating watch to be sure, for there's so much that really does work. Yet all I can do is hear those words from Christopher Plummer echoing in my head into infinity.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

KenRDec 6, 2020

As with 70% of Mr Malick’s later works, this one runs forever - while telling what amounts to little more than a short story. Deeply felt, spiritual, and at times superb looking, it suffers from his trade-mark extended minimalist style. TheAs with 70% of Mr Malick’s later works, this one runs forever - while telling what amounts to little more than a short story. Deeply felt, spiritual, and at times superb looking, it suffers from his trade-mark extended minimalist style. The editing is often abysmal (in need of a collaborating editor) with jarring continuity jump cuts, possibly revealing the fact many scenes were too long, with little to say, so were cut down to serve their purpose. To some, this may look trendy but for many, it may be shoddy to look at. On paper, this potent story would have looked impressive - yet the final result on screen will reflect only a small percentage of its power. For a fact-based story, it amazed me that the cruel German prison system allowed any letters to be written, let alone sent. I’d have also assumed any that were forwarded would have been heavily censored – in this situation that appears not to be the case. Characters often come and go with little introduction, so acute concentration is required. Thankfully, the last half is a little more structured than the somewhat messy first – this helps to follow the shockingly harsh struggle this tragic fellow was forced to endure. His wife and children are left battling the elements and unfriendly village neighbours, as they attempt to survive by working their farm without him. Sadly, it seems the local church did little to support his unfairly ostracized family, giving poor acknowledgement of his strong Catholic faith and the family’s church service in years prior. Appears the Catholic Church shamefully colluded with the Nazi war machine too often. This is sad indeed. Germany was determined to take control by force but force devoid of love was bound to fail.

Festivals and those who like Terrence Malick’s ‘style’ may last the way over-long distance but others may tune out early on. This is unfortunate, as it’s a story that deserves a better treatment. An effectively compiled music score helps carry it some of the way. Will please devotees or the patient.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews