EXCLUSIVE
Terrence Malick is a notoriously secretive, fiercely press-shy filmmaker who has always kept a tight lid on his projects.
If you're a fan of the reclusive director of "The Thin Red Line" and don't want to be spoiled, read no further — because we've got tons of details about Malick's follow-up to "The Tree of Life," which is rumored to be titled "The Burial."
The Oscar-nominated director recently wrapped principal photography on the "romantic drama" starring Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Rachel Weisz and Olga Kurylenko – the recent Bond girl – along with Javier Bardem and Barry Pepper.
An individual inside the production provided TheWrap with call sheets, the details of which Deal Central has pieced together to reveal much of the plot. And that nude scene? Read below.
Once again, be warned: SPOILERS FOLLOW
Partial plot summary:
Set over a period of years, the film stars Affleck as Neil, a failed writer stuck in a loveless marriage with Marina (Kurylenko), whose expiring visa put pressure on Neil to propose. Neil and Marina have a daughter (Tatiana Chilin) together, but both of them are looking outside the marriage. Neil is drawn to Jane (McAdams) and Marina betrays her husband by having an affair with Charlie (Charles Baker).
Both Neil and Marina seek guidance from Father Quintana (Bardem), a priest frustrated by his inability to live his own life because he's too busy advising his parishioners on theirs. The couple's dysfunctional relationship begins to take a toll on their daughter, who starts having problems in school.
Other news from the Bartlesville, Oklahoma set include:
• "Casino Royale" beauty Olga Kurylenko filmed a nude scene from the waist down at a local pool, as well as a steamy sex scene in a motel with Baker.
Rachel Weisz demanded $100 protein bars that craft services provided exclusively to the Oscar-winning actress during her four days on set.
More plot details:
Neil is investigating a treatment plant that may be distributing contaminated water. He's also still in love with a woman from his past and doesn't have the courage to let her go, imagining her as a blindfolded ghost throughout the film.
After Marina dents her car and burns dinner, she and Neil have a fight and discuss splitting up. Marina feels like she and Neil are brother and sister and Neil admits that he feels burdened by her. After Neil storms out, his daughter begins talking in her sleep.
Charlie takes an interest in Marina and begins to seduce her by giving her a wind harp. After cheating on Neil, she admits her affair to him, while Neil confesses to Father Quintana that he thought he could marry without love. The duo talk about marriage, miracles and despair, and Father Quintana advises him not to get divorced. The two of them debate the subject, prompting Neil to break down and later decide to clear his head by going fishing.
Neil and Jane share a kiss, which Jane doesn't feel bad about because she knows Neil doesn't love his wife. She plans to wait for Neil to get tired of Marina.
After Marina gets fired from her job, she runs into Father Quintana and the duo share several other chance encounters. She expresses the desire to do charity work and winds up volunteering at a soup kitchen.
Rachel Weisz plays Dinah, Neil's friend who can't bear to see Neil hurting himself.
Romina Mondello plays Anna, who is married but has a boyfriend. She and her husband have a fight and she breaks up with him. She urges Marina to do the same but Marina decides to take a trip to Europe.
When Marina returns, Dinah advises Jane to let Neil go now that his wife is back. Jane resigns to marry another suitor named Bradley, while Dinah is surprised to learn that her brother has now fallen in love with Marina, who at one point, learns she might need a hysterectomy.
Though Father Quintana constantly makes the time to listen to his parishioners' problems, he is repaid by having his car broken into and his air conditioner stolen. He begins giving communion at bars, but it's not long before he draws the ire of the local bishop and is sent to Kansas.
As you can see, this project is probably the smallest film Malick has directed. It isn't nearly as epic as "The Thin Red Line" or "The New World," and while "The Tree of Life" is purportedly a domestic drama as well, it also deals with larger themes (and will feature CGI dinosaurs).
Malick will be relying on his all-star cast and the strength of his script here, and while the intimate story doesn't seem particularly exciting, it's nice to know that after "The Tree of Life," Malick fans won't have to wait a decade for the next project from the acclaimed and enigmatic filmmaker.
