Review of Song to Song (2017) by Mark Jay K — 02 Sep 2018

Song to Song doesn't add anything new to Terrence Malick's style. It still uses the same old voice over narrations to develop its plot. While I personally like the approach, I felt like the execution could've been better. The story tells of a super complicated love triangle (rectangle?), where almost each character has at least two different lovers at some point at the same time. Song to Song fuses rock and roll music, love, lust, sex, desire, betrayal, and trust.

We have Michael Fassbender as a record producer who hires Gosling and Mara. And all two guys are having an affair with Mara, one in secret, the other in public. Until the whole complication was solved. Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett joins the picture. It's super messy and a little draggy.

It's a brilliant ensemble cast with all Oscar nominating and winning actors. The acting was amazing, the story was the downfall of this film.

Song to Song used a lot of jump cuts and time jumps. We don't see much action. And it is confusing most of the time. It's like Terrence Malick was jumping from Song A to Song D to Song H then back to Song A. The timeline in the film is meant to be confusing and all over the place. Which makes it a little thought provoking and I like that.

The voice over narration adds a very melancholic touch to the film but I think some dialogue wouldn't have hurt. There are also elements of LGBT in Song to Song that I really liked.