It seems as if Terrence Malick has been working on Song to Song, his new drama starring Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara, Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender, for the past half decade.
Pictures of the trio popped up in Austin several years ago, maybe somewhere around the time Malick released the lackluster To The Wonder. Since then he’s released the (also lackluster) Knight of Cups. But Song to Song looks like it might have something. Check out the trailer:
There’s no synopsis for this, other than “Two intersecting love triangles. Obsession and betrayal set against the music scene in Austin, Texas.” And there probably won’t be much more than that, this is Terry Malick we’re talking about. But id does have a pretty terrific poster to accompany this trailer:
It’s promising to see that Song to Song may actually have a narrative in place. There is a story in this trailer which seems clear cut and easy to follow, a step back from the edge for Malick. His last few films, since he toyed with obtuse storytelling in Tree of Life – which was truly special – have sort of drifted into self parody with their loose camera shots and mumbling actors. People look lost in those movies, not emotional wrought.
I also love the inclusion of Del Shannon’s “Runaway” as the overarching theme. Count me in.
Song to Song will be here March 17.
