The Story of One Man and Six Women

This film tells the story of Rick, who achieves success as a screenwriter but loses himself in the process, becoming lost in life and struggling to mend his fractured family bonds. When faced with reality he cannot comprehend, he is offered a hand by six beautiful women. Guided by these mysterious women, who seem to have attained some form of enlightenment, Rick gradually moves closer to what he truly desires, depicted through beautiful visuals.



The somewhat enigmatic title, 'Knight of Cups' (original title: KNIGHT OF CUPS), is derived from one of the 78 tarot cards. In its upright position, it signifies a sensitive and perceptive gentleman, a romantic, a feminist, kind-hearted, and indicative of success; in its reversed position, it suggests indecisiveness, womanizing, temptation, nervousness, ulterior motives, being swayed, passivity, and unstable, negative feelings leading to setbacks and failures. This resonates with Rick's current state.

One of the various tarot divination methods is the Hexagram Spread, which involves laying out six cards—representing the past, present, future, environment, desires, and problems—around a central card. The cards, much like their imagery, carry messages that are mysterious, prophetic, and declarative. Similarly, the beautiful women in this film inexplicably leave Rick with words he needs at each moment: 'There must be another way,' 'There is somewhere else to go,' 'Try everything, don't be afraid,' 'Love is precious, don't hold back.' They symbolize his past, present, and future, acting as guides in his life—in essence, embodying the mysteries of life and forming the core of this film.




Malick's films, with their poetic dialogue and fragmented reflections of life, cannot be fully realized without the viewer's imagination and interpretive skills. Faced with a collage of images, the audience is given the freedom to complete the narrative themselves, filling in the unspoken scenes using their own experiences, emotions, and senses. This is akin to divining someone's life using just 78 symbolic images. The foundation lies with the reader, the interpreter of the cards, who deciphers the tarot cards representing past, present, and future with their unique sensibility.

It may be that Malick's films, not just this one, are often considered difficult to understand because they challenge the viewer's sensibility, much like a tarot reader. Because they are not explanatory or prescriptive, the story that resonates with the viewer is completed only within their heart. This film, with the motif of tarot, offers a clearer glimpse into the allure of Malick's work, allowing for a deep appreciation of its visual beauty. It is highly recommended to experience it on the big screen.




*****
Savor the Visual Beauty and Life's Mysteries!

Knight of Cups
Directed by Terrence Malick
Starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, and others
Distributed by Tokyo Theatres
Now playing nationwide at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya and other theaters starting December 23 (Friday, holiday).
©2014 Dogwood Pictures, LLC


Jun Makiguchi
After working for Kyodo News, a film festival secretariat, and magazine editing, she became an independent writer. She currently writes film columns and interviews for women's and men's magazines, focusing on lifestyle topics such as fashion, food, and music depicted on screen.

• To the "Jun Makiguchi's Cinema Full Life" Series