[huu]

"The very notion of what’s appropriate for children looms over any consideration of a movie intended for children."

This is the author's justification for why he's critiquing the film. I disagree, personally, because he himself is not a child. I doubt any child would enjoy "The Tree of Life".

[icebraining]

I don't think the author expects children to enjoy The Tree of Life; I think he just believes it's possible (if difficult) to write a film for children without losing its subtlety.