Although the filmmaker often puts specifically Christian imagery into his film, his sensibility turns out to be more Zen: he can find manifestations of glory in both the noblest gesture and the darkest impulse.

Where The Tree of Life was sanctimonious, To the Wonder is about the failure of sanctimony.

Though Malick has a knack for enhancing the mood of each scene with stunning visual effects, it's not enough to boost the film.

Despite a lackluster script, I think the performances are exactly what Malick, the director, was wanting out of them.