Cert 15 129mins Stars 1

The career of filmmaker Terrence Malick began in 1973 with the brilliant Badlands, a superb Bonnie and Clyde style road trip starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek.

But his work has descended into insufferably exasperating exercises in self indulgence, such as this.

Now based in Austin, Texas, the writer/director has crafted another extravagant tone poem, this time set to the background of the local music festivals.

It features all his traits of his recent work, including a voice over, famous actors wandering about, cod-philosophical musings and barely a story to speak of.

The beautiful cast go to gigs where untrustworthy agents mix with aspiring artists, and everyone makes oblique comments about love, life and art.

The improvisational style of filmmaking is an actors dream and allows Malick to attract talent of the quality of Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara and Natalie Portman. They’re all wasting their talents and my time on this wretchedly pretentious rubbish. Don’t waste yours.