Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick - Research Paper Example

Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick Various films have been produced to which have reflected love, agony, wealth, greed, and racism in their themes. ‘Days of Heaven’ is a romantic drama film, which has incorporated all these elements effectively and beautifully. The film has represented the American cultural history and is of vital importance (Thomson). This paper aims to critically analyze the film, its cast and crew, the central plot and the psychological motivation of the characters towards music.

Thesis Statement: Greed and ravenousness for money has always increased the complications and the consequences are worst than expected. To put love at stake for money is not justified and can have an opposite reaction. The 1978 American drama film was written and directed by Terrence Malick who also directed Badlands in 1973 (IMDb). Malick was able to bring an interesting story for the viewers through ‘Days of Heaven’. In the film, the director has shown a short-tempered farm labor that works with his girlfriend at the farm of a rich farmer.

The character of the farm labor ‘Bill’ is played by Richard Gere, Abby (girlfriend of the farm labor) by Brooke Adams, the Farmer by Sam Shepherd, and Linda by Linda Manz (Bradshaw).The plot of the film was so deigned that it reflects suspense and thrill. Bill, Abby and Linda works at the same farm. The farmer who was the owner of the farm was a wealthy guy. The farmer somehow falls in love with Abby. At the same time it comes to the knowledge of the farmer that he is dying off some unidentified disease.

When Bill gets to know about it, he designs a plan and try to convince Abby to marry the farmer. Bill wanted Abby to marry the dying farmer so that when he is dead they both can have his inherited money (French). Bill convinces Abby and after they both get married, Bill stays at the farm being Abby’s brother. The farmer’s foreman suspected the scheme. At the same time, the farmer is also able to resist the disease and stayed healthy. This ruins Bill’s plan. The farmer also gets to know about Bill’s and Abby relationship.

On the other hand, Abby starts loving her new husband. The farmer tries to kill Bill but instead Bill kills him and escapes with Abby and Linda. Police eventually finds Bill and kills him (TheNewYorkTimes). The music in the film is thoughtful and is filled with regret and loss. The musical mode in the film is like that of ‘The Godfather’, but is not very strong and remembered. This shows that Malick wanted to reflect a sad psychological connection of the characters with music. This has helped in determining the mental conditions of the character throughout the film (Schager).

‘Good days of heaven’ was not very well received by critics. The film, however, won an Academy Award for best cinematography. Regardless of the unfavorable critics, it is one of the most acclaimed films and was preserved in the United States National Film Registry in 2007 by the Library of Congress. Works CitedBradshaw, Peter. "Days of Heaven – review." 1 September 2011. theguardian. Web. 11 December 2013. .French, Philip. "Days of Heaven – review." 4 September 2011. theguardian. Web.

11 December 2013. .IMDb. "Days of Heaven (1978)." 2013. imdb.com. Web. 11 December 2013. .Schager, Nick. "Days of Heaven." 21 October 2007. slantmagazine.com. Web. 11 December 2013. .TheNewYorkTimes. "Days of Heaven (1978)." 2012. nytimes.com. Web. 11 December 2013. .Thomson, David. "Is Days of Heaven the most beautiful film ever made?" 1 September 2011. The Guardian. Web. 11 December 2013. .