Showing @ Filmhouse, Edinburgh until Thu 14 Mar

Terrence Malick / USA / 2012 / 113 min

Palme d’Or winner and Oscar nominee, Terrence Malick’s To the Wonder is an intricate study of love, regret, hope, compromise and desire woven through the central characters of the story. They each feel connected to their homelands and to their past, but can they move on and transcend conflicting cultures and the identities those cultures forge? Neil (Ben Affleck) and Marina (Olga Kurylenko) meet in Paris and then move to Oklahoma to start their life together. It’s not long before the lustful relationship breaks down and the couple clash. Marina meets a priest (Javier Bardem) also far from home and Neil rekindles his relationship with childhood sweetheart Jane (Rachel McAdams).

The story is told in four languages (with subtitles): poetic, philosophical narration by the priest and Marina is layered on top of the action and there is very little dialogue. In true Malick-style, we see the before and after – not the crucial moments of action – but the anticipation and reactions create tension in the viewer as well as the characters. Affleck’s role marks a distinguished turn away from the action-loving, womanising heroes he is famed for: this is a subtle, supporting role to Kurylenko’s strong and endearing female presence. This is a slow and steady film that recognises the sadness in coming to terms with expectations not being met – by ourselves or by others.

Follow Emma on Twitter @emmalhay