Terrence Malick and the Examined Life

Martin Woessner is Associate Professor of History and Society at The City College of New York (CUNY), Center for Worker Education, and author of Heidegger in America.

Preface. The Important Things in Life Introduction. From Philosophy to Film Chapter 1. Crime Wave: The Pursuit of Personhood in Badlands Chapter 2. Wonders of the Prairie: The Metaphysics of Days of Heaven Chapter 3. Heroism, Individualism, and the Over-Soul: The Transcendentalist Theodicy of The Thin Red Line Chapter 4. Ways of Worldmaking: Beginnings and Endings in The New World Chapter 5. Cosmic Confessions, Part I: The Tree of Life and the Problem of Suffering Chapter 6. Cosmic Confessions, Part II: The Search for Meaning in To the Wonder, Knight of Cups, and Voyage of Time Chapter 7. Lost and Found: The Gift of Mercy in Song to Song and A Hidden Life Conclusion. From Film to Philosophy Notes Index Acknowledgments

"Terrence Malick is a 'philosopher as much as a movie director,' according to this erudite study of the Tree of Life filmmaker's intellectual influences...Woessner's careful analysis enlightens and convinces. Malick devotees should consider this essential reading." (Publishers Weekly) "An exceptional and intriguing look at the career of Terrence Malick, an American filmmaking marvel...Woessner covers each of Malick's films, with commentary that's perceptive, well-cited, and filled with background information on the film's source material, production, and philosophical underpinnings. Woessner describes Malick's filmography as well known, which is arguable (his films rarely reach mass audiences), but this book proves that it deserves to be." (Library Journal (starred review)) "A comprehensive study of Malick's layered career, Woessner's book provides a fascinating look at Malick's life, creative influences, and the deeper meaning of each of his films...Woessner makes his main subjects approachable for every prospective reader. Breaking down Malick's filmography one movie at a time, it may even leave readers with a renewed appreciation for Malick and his movies, as well as the inherent possibilities that come with experimental filmmaking." (Wealth of Geeks) "His research materials are impeccable and his use of sources effortless. Woessner is an interdisciplinarian with 20 years of knowledge in film-philosophy and history; his prose is polished, passionate, and maturely constructed. The same can be said about his close readings of Malick's historical/mythological films and characters, which are expertly connected to the philosophical concepts the author alludes to throughout the book." (Bright Lights Film Journal) "[I]nformed and lucid...The intersection of philosophy and film in the life, thought, and art of Malick is the subject of Terrence Malick and the Examined Life, by Martin Woessner, who argues that what Malick could not get out of academic philosophy 'he has been seeking in motion pictures ever since.' Woessner's book is unusual, not only in its reliance upon newly available archival material-particularly from the American Film Institute-but also in its locating of Malick's project within the philosophical culture of Harvard and Oxford." (First Things) "Terrence Malick finally has the interpreter he deserves in Martin Woessner, whose deep knowledge of modern philosophy and film history is evident on every page of this remarkable book. Woessner shows us how and why Malick turned to filmmaking to explore the moral and theological questions most mid-century academic philosophers had abandoned. In explaining how Malick 'does philosophy' through film, he demonstrates how to do intellectual history through the study of cinematic form. His book takes us to the wonder of Malick's lifelong quest for meaning and communion with nature and the cosmos." (Casey Nelson Blake, Columbia University) "Martin Woessner's exploration of Terrence Malick and his work is profound, illuminating, and a delight to read. He puts this extraordinary philosopher-filmmaker in conversation with his contemporaries and understands him-not just in terms of film and philosophy-but within the wider intellectual and artistic context of his time. A fascinating book!" (Sarah Bakewell, author of Humanly Possible: 700 years of Humanist Freethinking, Inquiry, and Hope) "Martin Woessner's marvelous book on Terrence Malick sheds new light on the question of film and philosophy. Featuring fascinating accounts of Malick's journey from philosopher to filmmaker, and contextualizing his films against the background of the emerging 'New Hollywood' generation, he shows convincingly how Malick's work-from Badlands to A Hidden Life-can be understood as offering cinematic reflections on a philosophically examined life. A richly satisfying and compelling contribution to contemporary film-philosophy that is also a pleasure to read." (Robert Sinnerbrink, author of Terrence Malick: Filmmaker and Philosopher) "A remarkable account of both the creation and the reception of a body of artistic work, and for anyone who simply wants an overview of Malick's career, this is the most accurate and vividly written one I have come across. It is well worth reading, even if you have no interest in the philosophical questions that Woessner raises. But it is Woessner's treatment of the philosophical character of the work that makes this book so important." - Alan Jacobs (The Hedgehog Review)