Every story has a beginning, middle, and end, and nonlinear films are not an exception. However, unlike linear narrative films, nonlinear narratives don\u2019t follow the rules of time. Sometimes the story can start off with the end, then show the beginning, and then the middle. They aren’t in chronological order.<\/p>\n
Because these types of films aren\u2019t told in order, lush visuals are often used to aid the reader in following the story. The possibilities of a nonlinear narrative film are endless and can allow the viewer to interpret the story in a way that would not be possible if it were told with a linear narrative.<\/p>\n
The Tree of Life<\/i> directed by Terrence Malik follows a middle-aged man named Jack as he tries to make sense of his childhood and the conflicting teachings of his parents. He feels lost and questions the meaning of his life. The film switches between scenes of Jack\u2019s childhood, his adult life, and scenes of the galaxy and the creation of the world.<\/p>\n
In this case, the nonlinear narrative helps to convey an overall theme of nature and grace and their effect on life. The jumps in time and perspective help the viewer see and compare the effects of nature and grace in a very broad sense as well as in Jack\u2019s life where his father represents the aggressiveness of nature and his mother represents lovingness of grace.<\/p>\n