'The Better Angels': Really young Abe Lincoln in a dreamy parable

Less a historical biopic than a cinematic tone poem, The Better Angels is set in backwoods Indiana, circa 1817, where, in a clearing ringed by birches and oak, a boy named Abe lives in a cabin with his stern pop and his forgiving mom. Cousins and uncles and aunts come a-callin', talking plainfolk talk and standing just so, better to let the low-slung light cast halos around their heads.

Filled with dreamy music and the sounds of leaves rustling, branches cracking, The Better Angels stars Braydon Denney as young Mr. Lincoln, the hulking Jason Clarke as his father, Tom Lincoln, and Brit Marling as his beatific mother, Nancy, who gets "milk sick" and dies. Diane Kruger emerges from somewhere in the loping nonnarrative to play Sarah, Tom's second wife, Abe's beloved stepmother.

"He won't stay in these woods long," a neighbor (Wes Bentley) declares, watching the bright-eyed Abe and the way he feels compelled to do good, to tell the truth. "He'll make his mark."

Directed by Terrence Malick's editor and protégé, A.J. Edwards, The Better Angels abounds with Malick-ian moments: upward-pointing cameras capturing bodies wheeling through fields, plaintive voice-overs punctuated by Jew's harp and birdsong, a tendency to drift toward the sky and its moody tableau of clouds.

"God tells truths in parables," someone says - a line that Edwards most likely aspires to take possession of, as if his poetic, pictorial parable had its own truths to tell.

Directed by A.J. Edwards. With Braydon Denney, Jason Clarke, Brit Marling, Diane Kruger. Distributed by Amplify.

Running time: 1 hour, 35 mins.

Parent's guide: PG (adult themes).

Playing at: Ritz Bourse.EndText