Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Song to Song

1

VonSeuxJul 2, 2017

A movie about rich people doing nothing in a pparently boring life. The film has really **** soundtrack, on the openning scene we see a punk-hardcore gig in slow motion to the sound of EDM, wtf? I expected a film that would represent theA movie about rich people doing nothing in a pparently boring life. The film has really **** soundtrack, on the openning scene we see a punk-hardcore gig in slow motion to the sound of EDM, wtf? I expected a film that would represent the music scene in Austin but it has nothing on it. Boring to death and self indulgent.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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5

SpangleApr 6, 2017

A dream-like kaleidoscopic descent into the madness of Austin, Texas, and the relationships on display in the film, Song to Song feels akin to a short film from Stan Brakhage or Dziga Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera. Echoes of Jean-LucA dream-like kaleidoscopic descent into the madness of Austin, Texas, and the relationships on display in the film, Song to Song feels akin to a short film from Stan Brakhage or Dziga Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera. Echoes of Jean-Luc Godard at his most experimental can also be heard with Malick standing alongside Godard as both extend a middle finger to audiences that wish to receive a normal viewing experience. With a loose connection of images and a free-wheeling approach to scenes and cutting, Song to Song is most certainly lyrical and poetic, but it mostly feels hollow. Its themes are compelling, but haphazardly composed and never rise to the level of importance bestowed upon them by the distant and experimental nature of the film. As a result, it is a hell of a tough watch and not the easiest 129 minutes of filmgoing I have ever experienced. With loose connections to be drawn between scenes, there is a common thread, but there is so much fluff and excess surrounding it, that core seems to get lost in the shuffle.

A deeply spiritual filmmaker by nature, Malick infuses Song to Song with a lot of overt references to God, human nature, and sin. Juxtaposing scenes of Cook (Michael Fassbender) and Rhonda (Natalie Portman) engaging in a three-way with a prostitute with that very same prostitute telling Rhonda that she wants God to come save her, it is clear that there is a deeply religious film. It is through this context that the film's core themes reveal themselves: temptation, love, and experience. Explaining in a voice-over early on that she wishes to experience everything, Faye (Rooney Mara) does just that. She has a highly conventional relationship with BV (Ryan Gosling), a solely physical affair with Cook, and even a few lesbian encounters. Yet, none of these fulfill her. As her initial voice-over noted, she needed every experience to be above and beyond its normal level for her to actual feel it ("the sex needed to be violent"), or else the moment would drift away and she would float on to the next one.

Yet, by the end, she has come back. She gives into temptation with Cook, but comes back to BV at the end and is willing to toss away experiencing life in Austin and replace it with living life with BV in small town America. Faye's journey in this film is one played out in real life and film many times before, though not nearly as dressed up as in Song to Song. She is a girl who is unhappy with herself, as shown in her conversations with her father, and is unsure of what she wants. As a result, she tries everything. She never says no, even when she is hesitant or unsure and regardless of who can be hurt by her actions. Instead, she flies by the seat of her pants and dives head first into the pool of life. Unfortunately for she realizes nearly too late that what truly made her happy and feel in touch with the world was what she had initially and now, she must find her way back to that life and that experience by returning to BV. Considering how dense the film itself is, for it to be able to be boiled down - mostly - into just that description really speaks as to how fluff-filled Song to Song is at 129 minutes.

Malick does add depth, however, with that aforementioned religious parallels. For the film, the character of Cook often comes to represent temptation and could be described as being Satan-esque, if not Satan himself. Presenting temptation to everybody in the film, he drives them all of their pre-ordained paths by offering them a world of experience. For Faye, he promises sexual pleasure that she had never before felt with Cook being adventurous and a generous lover. For BV, he promises to help him make a record deal that would allow him to have the world (classic Lucifer stuff here). For Rhonda, he promises an escape from her job as a waitress and to experience a world she had never been in before. Yet, it all backfires. Faye continues to jump from experience-to-experience and hits bottom when she realizes her father is disappointed in her. BV continues to struggle as a musician and realizes that Cook filed copyrights for BV's songs under Cook's name only, essentially stealing his work. Rhonda is driven into depression and driven away from her mother Miranda (Holly Hunter) to the point that she is suicidal. Promising the world to all that he encounters, Cook frequently engages in sexual sins with three-ways and intense promiscuity while corrupting everybody he touches and dragging them down in hellfire along with himself. As Rhonda notes in a voice-over, he is a destructive force. Yet, Cook embraces his tempting ways, explaining that "people want to be deceived". In essence, he is merely giving people what they want, so what is wrong with that? He is a selfish and harmful being, whether or not he is actually Satan. He is a man that seeks to drive people off the path with empty promises with the sole goal of fulfilling his own needs and sucking the life out of their soul.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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2

lenny68Oct 7, 2017

There are some directors that are lionized by critics to the extent that can seem to do no wrong. Malick is such a director. His reputation may have once been deserved, but surly not now. Song To Song may be the nail in the coffin of hisThere are some directors that are lionized by critics to the extent that can seem to do no wrong. Malick is such a director. His reputation may have once been deserved, but surly not now. Song To Song may be the nail in the coffin of his career as far as I'm concerned. Just terrible.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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2

HannahKOct 7, 2017

I'm really at a loss as to what to say about Song To Song except that this must be a career nadir from a once excellent director. Pretentious twaddle masquerading as something deep and meaningful. Truly awful.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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0

goodmovies12Aug 11, 2017

a new entry in my top worst movies. i couldn't stop laughing at the ridiculously artistically forced scenes every damn second, the biggest failure of any European wannabe movie where non-european directors just can't make it naturally. whata new entry in my top worst movies. i couldn't stop laughing at the ridiculously artistically forced scenes every damn second, the biggest failure of any European wannabe movie where non-european directors just can't make it naturally. what is worse is that over 50% of the audience in an international movie festival in Europe just couldn't stop laughing! and that started in the first 20 minutes. what a waste of good actors and what an epic fail!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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0

DrewGMar 24, 2017

Malick started his career with five masterpieces so despite my disappointment with his two previous efforts and the mediocre reviews I went to see this. And wow was it awful. He somehow managed to take five of the most talented and charmingMalick started his career with five masterpieces so despite my disappointment with his two previous efforts and the mediocre reviews I went to see this. And wow was it awful. He somehow managed to take five of the most talented and charming actors and make them mindnumbingly boring. It was so clear that he had them improvise without taking the time to develop their characters. They were cardboard people saying stupid stuff. The cinematography wasn't even that great this time around. Malick needs another twenty year break. Oof.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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2

JennyKat570Jun 24, 2017

Pretentious, promiscuous Austin scenesters pair up, cheat on each other, take drugs, ramble endlessly about wanting to "be free" and "try everything" (as though these weren't already overworked cliches 50 years ago), and ultimately realizePretentious, promiscuous Austin scenesters pair up, cheat on each other, take drugs, ramble endlessly about wanting to "be free" and "try everything" (as though these weren't already overworked cliches 50 years ago), and ultimately realize that, hey, doing all the above isn't really a very fulfilling lifestyle. WHOA DEEP STUFF THERE MALICK. Meanwhile the camera pads out the runtime with screen saver nature footage and about 45 minutes worth of people staring dully out of windows, which I'm pretty sure Terrence Malick insists on as a contractual requirement in all his movies.

Overall it's very very slow, very dull, and nowhere near as profound as it pretends to be (when you dig past the slick surface it's actually a very low-rent, trashy storyline worthy of a Skinemax direct-to-TV special). I'm only giving it a couple points because the cast was very attractive and the cinematography was pretty great, so at least you have something nice to look at as you watch these self-absorbed hipsters flail around idiotically (sometimes quite literally) for what seems like 5 hours.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

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10

charlesv007Mar 17, 2017

The movie is the best movie from Terrence Malick, combines drama with humor and some musical things, ryan gosling performance is amazing and michael fassbender shines in this movie, both deserve the nomination for the next oscars, inThe movie is the best movie from Terrence Malick, combines drama with humor and some musical things, ryan gosling performance is amazing and michael fassbender shines in this movie, both deserve the nomination for the next oscars, in conclusion Song To Song actually is one of the best movie of the year and one of the best movies from Ryan Gosling.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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10

filmfinder1Mar 17, 2017

Easily Malick's best film since "The New World," this one follows has a slightly more accessible narrative than his last two meandering efforts and terrific performances from a first-rate cast. You'll definitely want to visit Austin afterEasily Malick's best film since "The New World," this one follows has a slightly more accessible narrative than his last two meandering efforts and terrific performances from a first-rate cast. You'll definitely want to visit Austin after seeing this film.… Expand

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

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10

vincenzMar 18, 2017

Malick continua nella direzione già intrapresa con Knight of Cups, confezionando un prodotto a livello visivo ineccepibile dal punto di vista artistico, pura poesia di immagini in movimento andando a toccare temi universali come l'amore, ilMalick continua nella direzione già intrapresa con Knight of Cups, confezionando un prodotto a livello visivo ineccepibile dal punto di vista artistico, pura poesia di immagini in movimento andando a toccare temi universali come l'amore, il perdono, il tradimento
il tutto in un film frammentato dal punto di vista narrativo e montato in modo magistrale a seconda del tema emotivo che si va a esplorare.
Più che un film, un viaggio emotivo… Expand

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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10

DrBlahBlahApr 30, 2017

The best film of 2017 so far. Like most Malick films, it's a half hour longer than it needs to be, but that's a minor complaint considering its overall beauty.

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

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9

JBBuJul 21, 2018

The typical Malick technique of providing few clues on the "plot" with occasional voice overs and spare dialogue keeps one guessing.T he creative style of never ending 10 - 20 second strait cuts sequences from all points of view (from a goThe typical Malick technique of providing few clues on the "plot" with occasional voice overs and spare dialogue keeps one guessing.T he creative style of never ending 10 - 20 second strait cuts sequences from all points of view (from a go pro on the ground to an aerial viewpoint... in the snap of a finger) can be initially jarring. But overall I really liked this film as a dreamlike poem with great acting, filming and tasteful editing. Its his best one since Tree of Life.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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7

moviemitch96Mar 25, 2017

As a longtime Terrence Malick admirer, I was eager to check this film out, despite my notable disappointment with last year's "Knight of Cups". However, despite the polarized reception that this film has received, much like "Knight of Cups"As a longtime Terrence Malick admirer, I was eager to check this film out, despite my notable disappointment with last year's "Knight of Cups". However, despite the polarized reception that this film has received, much like "Knight of Cups" did, I actually found this to be slightly more watchable and profound than expected. Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography is as gorgeous as ever in the film and helps carry along what little narrative the film has to offer, not unlike many of Malick's recent previous efforts. I will say however that there was a bit more narrative to be found in this film than there was in "Knight of Cups", so that was a plus. The visual poetry definitely went a long way for me in this film, much like it did in his previous recent films. However, unfortunately, much like in "Knight of Cups" and even "To the Wonder", the A-list cast consisting of Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman, etc. always seemed lost and lacked a sense of direction or anything coherent for them or their characters to work with. Overall, it may or may not win back certain admirers of Malick, and it certainly won't win over those who aren't familiar with him or his style at all, but for me at least, it had a few more interesting things to say than some of his recent previous efforts did. That cinematography though, seriously! To briefly reiterate, Lubezki's cinematography in Malick's recent films casts a spell on me every time and almost makes me feel as though it's worth it to check out each new film he makes just for that reason alone!… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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6

MattBrady99Jul 15, 2017

"The world wants to be deceived"

Song to Song is not really a movie, but more of an experience. The feeling of adventure and freedom like in most Malick movies. Something I felt was missing from "Knights of Cups". While still not having a"The world wants to be deceived"

Song to Song is not really a movie, but more of an experience. The feeling of adventure and freedom like in most Malick movies. Something I felt was missing from "Knights of Cups". While still not having a straight forward narrative that audience members are gonna hate, just like how Malick isn't for everyone.

The film captures life of are characters daily activities, shot a very long time ago.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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3

amheretojudgeApr 26, 2018

why are you changing your story..

Song To Song The procedure to convey the message has always been convoluted and thought-provoking for the audience but if the resultant outcome isn't worth the effort invested, it turns into disappointment.why are you changing your story..

Song To Song

The procedure to convey the message has always been convoluted and thought-provoking for the audience but if the resultant outcome isn't worth the effort invested, it turns into disappointment. Terrence Malick is no short on execution but the script, that is not something fresh, in fact a typical story merely retold through Malick's lenses. On performance, the feature doesn't rely upon single actor in fact, each individual factors in as a supporting cast where even though Natalie Portman, Ryan Gosling and Cate Blanchett are good in it, Rooney Mara and Michael Fassbender steals the show. Song To Song has everything on its side i.e. beautiful cinematography, amazing background score, stunning visuals, brilliant execution and stellar performance, except a good old tale.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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8

MahmusOct 26, 2020

You mean to tell me there's a Terrence Malick film starring my two biggest crushes Rooney Mara and Ryan Gosling that is unapologetically pretentious and artsy in the best way possible and has gorgoeus cinematography by Emmanuel "Chivo"You mean to tell me there's a Terrence Malick film starring my two biggest crushes Rooney Mara and Ryan Gosling that is unapologetically pretentious and artsy in the best way possible and has gorgoeus cinematography by Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki??

Sign me in!!

I really, really like this movie.
I get that it's not for everyone, but man is this film an absolutely beautiful and moving experience.
It's no Tree of Life but is anything really Tree of Life?… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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