Pub.lished Movie Reviews
There Will Be Blood (2007)
"There Will Be Blood" (2007) is a story of family, religion, hatred, oil, and madness. It focuses on a turn-of-the-century prospector named Daniel Plainview, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, in the early days of the oil business. The voice of Day-Lewis' character, Plainview, is like a blend of oil, gristle, and syrup - deep, reassuring, and absolutely sure of itself. It also carries an air of fraudulence; no man who sounds this forthright can be anything but a liar.
The film, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a brutal, driving epic that takes us on a journey from Plainview's humble beginnings, trying to extract silver from the earth with a pick and shovel, to his eventual rise as a wealthy oil baron. Day-Lewis paints Plainview as a monstrous figure filled with deep-seated hatred for all men, including himself.
Watching the film is akin to witnessing a natural disaster; it's horrifying, yet impossible to look away. The film transcends the usual categories of 'good' and 'bad'. It's a powerful force filled with scenes of terror, poignancy, ruthless chicanery, and grand scope. The ending, while unexpected and unsettling, is fitting for such a story filled with madness.
Anderson's film is very loosely based on Upton Sinclair's 1927 novel "Oil!," a tale of a corrupt oil family. However, the two narratives are so different that they can be experienced separately. Plainview, as portrayed by Anderson, is a man with no friends, lovers, or true partners. He even exploits his adopted son mostly as a prop. His sole goal in life is to accumulate wealth, reminding us of the character of Citizen Kane and his relentless pursuit of riches.
However, Plainview is no Kane. He lacks a 'Rosebud', regrets nothing, and is devoid of pity. Even when he suffers a severe injury after falling down a mine shaft, he merely pulls himself up and continues his pursuit. His break comes when a young man named Paul Sunday, played by Paul Dano, informs him about a location rich with oil, for a price. The oil is located on the Sunday family ranch, and Plainview manages to secure the drilling rights from the family patriarch, old man Sunday.
The film then delves into the power struggle between Plainview and Eli Sunday, Paul's brother and an evangelical preacher played by the same actor, Dano. The introduction of a man claiming to be Plainview's half-brother adds a new dynamic to the story. Despite his fame and fortune, Plainview quickly trusts this stranger, a decision that reflects his descent into madness.
One of the remarkable aspects of "There Will Be Blood," and most of Anderson's films, is the incredibly detailed and immersive world-building. Whether it's the 1910s oil boom, 50s religious movements, or the 70s porn industry, Anderson has a knack for vividly portraying these worlds. His thorough research is evident in his work, and in the case of "There Will Be Blood," the source material includes not only Sinclair's novel but also the real life of oil baron Edward Doheny. In fact, the opulent mansion in the film's final scene is the actual Doheny estate.
- You dislike movies with intense and violent scenes.
- You prefer light-hearted comedies or romance movies.
- You are not interested in complex character studies.
- You are easily disturbed by scenes involving psychological conflict and manipulation.
- You find historical films or films set in the early 20th century dull or uninteresting.
- This movie is not recommended for audiences under the age of 16 due to its violent content and complex themes.
Fargo (1996)
"Fargo" is another brilliant piece from the Coen Brothers that shares a similar bleak outlook and black humor with "There Will Be Blood". It also features excellent performances particularly that of Frances McDormand.
No Country for Old Men (2007)This Coen Brothers' masterpiece shares the same contemplative mood and epic scale as "There Will Be Blood". It adopts a minimalist storytelling style that focuses on tension over dialogue, much like Paul Thomas Anderson's style in "There Will Be Blood". Plus, both movies were in tight competition at the 2008 Oscars, and both films star exceptional casts, delivering powerful performances.
The Master (2012):Also directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, "The Master" is characterized by its brilliant cinematography and intense character studies. It explores complex relationships in the same engrossing and thought-provoking way as "There Will Be Blood".
Birdman (2014):"Birdman" shares cinematic boldness with "There Will Be Blood". Both films create tension through their narrative and use of long, impressive tracking shots. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, it presents a genius mix of drama, reality, and fantastic elements.
Drive (2011):"Drive" is a masterful piece of contemporary noir with a mesmerizing central performance from Ryan Gosling. It’s a stylistically beautiful and thrilling movie which, like "There Will Be Blood," explores themes of violence, ambition, and twisted forms of justice.
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