The Sea of Trees (2016)

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Absolutely the worst movie.

Absolutely Fantastic

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Director Gus van Sant is well known for touching dramas such as the Oscar winning "Good Will Hunting" and this offering is one of his most underrated films. Following a grief-stricken widower who wanders around an isolated forest with a mysterious stranger, the film takes a hard look at what led our protagonist to where he is and also gives insight into accepting death, love and the process of grief.With only three core players in the cast, the setting of the forest, Aokigahara, in Tokyo we really spend most of the time with the characters of Arthur Brennan (Matthew McConaughey) and Nakamura Takumi (Ken Watanabe) while we are provided with flashbacks that outline the relationship between Arthur and his wife, Joan (Naomi Watts).Matthew McConaughey's performance as Arthur is an enigma when we first him as we follow him when heading into Aokigahara. We learn early on that Arthur is an academic professor; specifically a science instructor. While Arthur may not have too much trouble applying his intelligence to his students, the same cannot be said of his treatment of his wife, Joan, which is a tumultuous roller-coaster at best. As the story progresses we are given insight into his life with Joan which comes off as loving and happy until we see the two argue when left alone and it's clear there are issues with their marriage. There may have been love in the relationship at first, but the marriage is clearly troubled except in the fate of imminent tragedy we see how devoted Arthur really is to Joan despite how angry he and Joan have been towards each other. McConaughey taps into Arthur's hidden sadness by slowly revealing the reason he has come to the forest, his actions are equally reckless as Arthur wallows in grief; unable to cope with how to process his feelings. The film's climactic reveal of Joan's passing absolutely packs an emotional punch as McConaughey pours his heart out in how Arthur feels that he did a disservice to his wife while she was alive, but learns from Watanabe's Takumi that Joan's spirit is with him despite how upset he had been with her in the past and with himself.Supporting players Ken Watanabe and Naomi Watts also bring their best to the story as they are integral to the Arthur's journey. 1. Watanabe as Takumi is first introduced as a rambling lost soul in the forest, just as lost as Arthur is. As he travels along with Arthur, Takumi begins to probe into Arthur's past though the latter is reluctant to divulge much and just wants to die. Takumi's persistence pays off as Arthur's kindness prolongs Takumi's own wish to die (and begins to undermine Arthur's own death wish). We don't learn until late in the film why Takumi's wistful encouragements about Joan's after-death presence end up so true. 2. Naomi Watts's performance is used sparingly, but provides the film's ending gut-punch. As Joan, Watts is smart and sophisticated as she is an academic like her husband, but she is plagued with demons. Despite her and Arthur's academic education, she is jealous of her husband's past success and to cope with her frustration with Arthur, Joan becomes an alcoholic. Arthur is quick to blame Joan for her behavior while she points the finger right back at his lack of affection or interest in her feelings. When Joan becomes sick, we start to see how little both Joan and Arthur really know about each other. We get to see them banter back and forth trying to learn about each other, but tragedy cuts their potential happiness short. The audience gets to share in Arthur's grief at losing Joan, but also get to see him change and feel a closeness to his late wife that didn't exist while she was alive.The narrative does take some time to get moving as the camera tracks Matthew McConaughey through the forest and little of the plot is revealed. Once Ken Watanabe's Takumi is introduced and also the flashbacks to Arthur and Joan's marriage commences, the story does get more interesting and gets to the heart of why McConaughey's Arthur is in Aokigahara. It's easy to stay stone-faced for the majority of the run-time, the tears will start to well up as Arthur pours his heart out to Takumi and then learning how Joan died finally hits hard especially for anyone who has had such a tragic loss.

Excellent movie that makes you really think about how life has many twists and turns and sometimes can be pretty rough for a while, and yet as we persevere we eventually see why things happen in our lives the way that they do. Our lives are really a series of unique tests that are individually tailored to each of us so that we can gain useful and crucial experience that helps us grow and be able to deal with each next step we take on our journey of life.The movie has a lot of parallels with Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life: Think of the Japanese man, Takumi Nakamura, that Arthur Brennan meets in the forest as It's a Wonderful Life's Clarence the Angel who jumps off the bridge right as George Bailey is almost ready to jump off, because he knows that George will instinctively jump off to save him, instead of taking his own life. Takumi and Arthur's subsequent conversations and journey trying to find their way back to the trail/parking lot is a lot like George Bailey in the end wanting to get back to his life that he hadn't previously thought of as being anything close to a wonderful life. Very last scene of It's a Wonderful Life is the written message George Bailey receives from Clarence in a copy of Tom Sawyer that states. " No man's life is a failure who has friends." Near the end of Sea of Trees Arthur receives the book Hansel and Gretel in which there is a message from the Takumi that has the season and color that is Matthew's wife's favorite season and color.

I really don't understand the extreme harsh reviews. The film is too long for the story and starts a bit slow as well as there being some unlikely or highly coincidental moments but there is so much emotion in the characters of this film and Mcconaughey especially relays this beautifully. Many tearful moments and a very satisfying ending. Impressive cinematography although a somewhat predictable score. The relationship between Watts and Mcconaughey is full of real emotion, grounded in reality.Definitely worth the watch overall, however there are flaws to look past.

A suicidal American befriends a Japanese man lost in a forest near Mt. Fuji and the two search for a way out. The Sea of Trees is one of the most underrated films i've seen in a while it has a great message about love and life and it the ending was terrific i really don't wanna spoil it except 2 little words "Yellow" & "Winter". Matthew McConaughey gives an amazing performance, Ken Watanabe is fantastic as always and Naomi Watts did a pretty good job also. As for negatives this movie had a slow pacing for the first 2 acts until something happened and totally changed my view on the movie, there was also a bit way too much exposition which i get it but it kinda bugged me at times and also the marketing made the film look like some kind of horror movie when it's just a drama. If you skip the horrible reviews and have a clear mind you gonna love it if not then stay away from it. I'm gonna give The Sea of Trees an 9.0 out of 10.