Rating: M
Release Date: 30 September 2010
The Tree is an Australian- French production filmed in the small town of Boonah in Queensland. It closed the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, receiving a ten minute standing ovation and it also premiered at the Sydney Film Festival. Directed by Julie Bertuccelli who also wrote the screenplay based on an adaptation of the novel Our Father Who Art In The Tree by Judy Pascoe.
Peter O’Neil (Aden Young) dies suddenly while driving his eight year old daughter Simone (Morgana Davies) home in their small country town. Simone in order to cope with her loss take refuge in the enormous tree which occupies their backyard and is convinced her father is channelling through the Moreton Bay Fig tree. Her mourning mother Dawn (Charlotte Gainsbourg) trying to to put on a brave front and raise her four children, commences a relationship with the local plumber George Elrick (Marton Csokas) in an attempt to move on, much to Simone’s distress.
The neighbours want the tree removed, George wants it to go as its troublesome roots are causing plumbing problems but Simone fights them all the way refusing to leave the tree and Dawn relents to save the tree. However in the end forces of nature take over and help the family move on.
It is film about loss and dealing with grief with the tree used metaphorically and literally dominating a huge prescence in the family’s life to the point of holding it ransom as it takes over their landscape. Cinematography makes good use of the Australian landscape with stunning backdrops and vistas which makes this visually appealing however there is something lacking. Even despite the excellent peformances of Charlotte Gainsbourg (21 Grams) the grieving widow and Morgana Davies is delightful as the imaginative and innocent Simone. Marton Csokas despite his small role brings complexity and depth to his part. Its interesting that Aden Young is third billed when he barely makes an appearance.
3/5 stars
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