REVIEW: Terrence Malick's "Knight of Cups"

Master filmmaker Terrence Malick was
once known for only creating a new film about every seven years, but he’s been picking up the pace — following up 2011’s ambitious The Tree of Life, with To The Wonder just a year later.

Now comes Knight of Cups, which follows Christian Bale as a screenwriter alternately cavorting and sulking through a parade of Hollywood opulence — attending parties stocked with real celebrities playing versions of themselves. In between, we also see Bale’s character (who says almost nothing outside of voice-over) struggle through relationships with women, including Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman (pictured with Bale), and his angry father, played by Brian Dennehy. THE WORD: Not everyone has a taste for Malick’s ponderous, poetic storytelling, but its striking visuals and star-packed cast may still satisfy. COMING TO: Theaters