Terrence Malick's 'Knight Of Cups' Sounds Very, Very Terrence Malick-Y

The first trailer for Knight of Cups offered some hints as to what Terrence Malick's latest would be about, and now an official synopsis reveals more concrete details about the story. And to the surprise of absolutely no one, it sounds very Terrence Malick-y.

Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Natalie Portman lead the latest from the acclaimed auteur. Get the new Knight of Cups synopsis and details after he jump. 

The Knight of Cups synopsis comes to us via The Playlist.

Rick is a slave to the Hollywood system. He is addicted to success but simultaneously despairs at the emptiness of his life. He is at home in a world of illusions but seeks real life. Like the tarot card of the title, Rick is easily bored and needs outside stimulation. But the Knight of Cups is also an artist, a romantic and an adventurer.

In Terrence Malick's seventh film a gliding camera once again accompanies a tormented hero on his search for meaning. Once again a voiceover is laid over images which also seek their own authenticity. And once again Malick seems to put the world out of joint. His symphonic flow of images contrasts cold, functional architecture with the ageless beauty of nature. Rick's internal monologue coalesces with the voices of the women who cross his path, women who represent different principles in life: while one lives in the real world, the other embodies beauty and sensuality. Which path will Rick choose? In the city of angels and the desert that surrounds it, will he find his own way?

If Malick's latest films have put you to sleep, Knight of Cups doesn't sound like it'll be for you. Even the synopsis sounds bored with Malick's whole schtick. The phrase "once again" is used three times. While it was probably intended to remind audiences of what makes Malick special, it comes across more like a weary complaint.

That says, one thing that does seem to set Knight of Cups apart from Malick's other films is the modern Hollywood setting. The first half of the trailer plays like Malick tried to direct a Bret Easton Ellis adaptation. Oh, and the relatively short runtime – Knight of Cups comes in at 118 minutes, just under two hours.

Knight of Cups opens sometime this year.