The New World

This film has been out a while but it should be remembered, lest we forget its beauty. The New World is written and directed by a unique voice in film, Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line). The film follows the well-known storyline of John Smith and Pocahontas. Smith, played by Colin Farrell, is part of the original English voyage to the Americas, in 1607. He and the rest of the British encounter the Naturals in this new and foreign land. There is much debate on either side as to what to do (peace/war, friends/enemies, etc.). When Smith is taken captive and sentenced to death he is saved by a young princess, Pocahontas (Q'orianka Kilcher). Thus begins a tale of love, romance, and cultural divides (much like Romeo and Juliet). A quick warning: the film is slow, more of a meditation than an entertaining story. It is nothing if not unique.
The relationship between Smith and Pocahontas is an interesting one. They seem to throw off their own cultures and "fall in love." This makes them want to give up everything for each other. Yet they both feel a keen sense of duty to their own people. But their relationship reminds us of what is essential to humanity. What do they have in common, these two people from completely different worlds? What does it mean to be human? Christian Bale enterst the story later as a great example of a patient, Christ-like husband who ends up marrying Pocahontas and loving her, even after she finds out Smith is still alive (she thought he was dead). That relationship is fascinating as well.
They also come from different worldviews/spiritual understandings of the way the world works. Malick is careful to be respectful of both cultures, keeping a fly-in-the-wall view of each. He makes no judgments upon their ideas. He keeps us in the past, and stays far away from commentary on where this will all lead. He forgets what he knows about the world now, and helps us to have fresh and innocent eyes when looking upon this time in human history. But what of the spiritual worlds? Are they compatible? Are they essentially the same, or radically different? Do we as the "white western" Christianity have God completely figured out, or could we learn something from these Naturals? What could we learn? Where might they lead us astray though? We should find the balance between demonizing and idealizing this peoplegroup, as we should with all peoplegroups.
Malick's final sequence holds a profound understanding of God, and His "bigness." The film ends with Pocahontas visiting England and interacting with its people and society. The music swells to a beautiful crescendo, whilst she frolicks in the man-made gardens of this new land. Pocahontas muses to herself throughout the film about "the Spirit," wanting to learn from it and be open to it. Could this Spirit be God Himself? She connects with it in her native land, but seems wary in England. Yet she eventually comes to the understanding that the Spirit is bigger than lands/places/peoples. She can commune with this Spirit even in a Western and man-made world. This reminds us that God is big, bigger than anything we could understand. We all know that we put Him in a box, everyone does. It's nearly impossible not to. But he can break through all the boxes we put him in. How do we see God for who He really is, without all the restrictions that we put on Him? It's impossible to some extent, yet prayer must not be underestimated. God help us to stop putting you in a box.
Visually and stylistically, The New World is ethereal, surreal, and poetic. Malick has a distinct style, which comes across through the beautiful cinematography, meditative musings of the characters, and stunning lighting and colors. The way the film is shot also reminds us to find beauty and truth in everything (the little things, the wind blowing in the grass, the sunsets, fishing, the runing of a stream). This world that God created is utterly beautiful; it should take our breath away. Let us not take it for granted. The New World gives us a patient and poetic eye, letting us see the world the way we should.