First Poster and Synopsis for Terrence Malick’s THE TREE OF LIFE

Steve is currently at the American Film Market (AFM) and he has nabbed a shot of the poster for Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life along with an image of a note from Malick that serves as kind of synopsis for the film. Previously, all we’ve known about the story was “an impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 1950’s chronicling the journey of the eldest son, Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn), through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years – trying to reconcile the complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt).”  This note is far more detailed and shouldn’t be read if you’re looking to avoid spoilers.

Hit the jump to check out the poster as well as the synopsis.  The Tree of Life opens May 27, 2011.

Click on the poster to see a larger version.

Here’s the synopsis:

From the Desk of Terrence Malick….

We trace the evolution of an eleven-year-old boy in the Midwest, JACK, one of three brothers.  At first all seems marvelous to the child.  He sees as his mother does with the eyes of his soul.  She represents the way of love and mercy, where the father tries to teach his son the world’s way of putting oneself first.  Each parent contends for his allegiance, and Jack must reconcile their claims.  The picture darkens as he has his first glimpses of sickness, suffering and death.  The world, once a thing of glory, becomes a labyrinth.

From this story is that of adult Jack, a lost soul in a modern world, seeking to discover amid the changing scenes of time that which does not change: the eternal scheme of which we are a part.  When he sees all that has gone into our world’s preparation, each thing appears a miracle—precious, incomparable.  Jack, with his new understanding, is able to forgive his father and take his first steps on the path of life.

The story ends in hope, acknowledging the beauty and joy in all things, in the everyday and above all in the family—our first school—the only place that most of us learn the truth about the world and ourselves, or discover life’s single most important lesson, of unselfish love.

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