TL A

Being a fan of Gus Van Sant's films, I began reading some of the other reviews and thought to myself, Wow, people actually booed this film and/or do not like it! Then I am in! I wanted to watch it myself and not listen to the critics to sway my decision. This was my take away from The Sea of Trees; besides being visually a marvel- the canopy of the trees hides a darker side- one where people have come to end their life. For me, the struggles of Arthur and Joan's marriage, echo the emotional and physical struggle in the forest- man against the elements and man against himself. This was conveyed with Takumi's feeling of inadequacy reflected in his own line of work and being valued as a man, coming from a culture of pride and his own core values. What I picked up on, in the film, was the importance of working together. Both Arthur and Takumi support each other, in order to try and find a way out. As someone who is a Survivor, I did not feel the movie glorified suicide; rather it gave dignity in living. There are also alot of hints throughout the film that guides us along the journey. The flashbacks to Arthur and Joan's tumultuous relationship reflects the darkness within the forest, the ghosts of their marriage- infidelity, feeling inadequate and not knowing each other as a spouse, can be compared to the ghosts hidden within the massive, sprawling trees. All feel trapped. Throughout the film, we see the characters other beautiful side, in the simple gestures of taking off one's shoes. Their is symbolism of a flower, in the form of Orchids. The symbolism at the end, is of undying love for someone passed on. Interwoven within the storyline, is the children's book, Hansel and Gretel, which later reveals something more beyond bread crumbs. Arthur uses a creative way to return to the forest and 'find his way' home. All in all, this is by far my most cherished Gus Van Sant films, I have seen! As a viewer, attention has to be given to cultural standards, marriage/equality, symbolism in the trees, orchids, death forgiveness and acceptance. This for me was a portrayal of the ties that bind and are broken. Within this movie, is the reality that we are strangers to each other and ourselves...by not even knowing the simple things about our loved ones...we each are ghosts floating in a sea of trees . Despite the representation of the forest filled with sprawling, majestic LIFE in the various elements, death is what meets us all- in the end.