2008 Woodie Awards
Movie Review: Yes, 'There Will Be Blood'
Dale Maxfield
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Features
Paul Thomas Anderson's new and best movie, "There Will Be Blood," explores the darkest of human hearts. It tells the story of a man searching for the American dream of wealth. It tells the story of corruption and greed in man's heart. It tells the story of the constant struggles between capitalism and religion, if you chose to interpret it that way. More importantly, it shows us what we have the potential to be.
The film opens up with Daniel Plainview (Daniel-Day Lewis), a small time oil man, making his first well. We then see his rise in the oil industry at the turn of the twentieth century. While buying up land and drilling a new well with "an ocean of oil" underneath it, Plainview manipulates and/or destroys anything that gets in his way. After this movie, you will walk out of the theater feeling rotten, grim, and highly satisfied.
The most talked about aspect of the movie is Daniel Day-Lewis's performance, and, well, it is completely understandable. He gives the performance of his career in this film, and probably the best performance of the decade. Plainview is pure evil on every level, and that is not an easy character to play. Day-Lewis nailed the performance and removed even the slightest hope that his character had any good left in his soul. A lot can be said about the character just by the way he looks at people with hatred. When you see this movie, watch Plainview's eyes.
Other aspects of the film stand out as well, yet they often get shadowed by Day-Lewis's bold performance. Paul Dano gives a wonderful performance as Eli Sunday, a miracle healer. Jonny Greenwood, guitarist for Radiohead, scored the film; it is not the work of your average rock guitarist. It is the work of a prodigy. The music's dissonance gives the perfect feeling of disorientation and depression at exactly the right moments. Anderson's direction is, as always, top of the line. His use of location and his interesting camera shots reel the audience in.
Several critics seem to mark the ending as "controversial." I do not see why. It is the only suitable ending for a movie of this color. Do not pay any attention to those who say the ending is bad. In fact, it is the most powerful scene of the film.
"There Will Be Blood" is a lot to take in with just one viewing. More and more gets revealed with multiple viewings, but the general essence of the film can be captured with one viewing. It is because of this that I do not think the movie will win best picture, director, or adapted screenplay at the Oscars. However, with a total of eight nominations, I'm sure that it will walk away with best actor and probably another statue or two.
Plainview said, "I look at people, and I see nothing worth liking." Go watch this movie, and everything about it will be worth liking.
And yes, there will be blood.
The film opens up with Daniel Plainview (Daniel-Day Lewis), a small time oil man, making his first well. We then see his rise in the oil industry at the turn of the twentieth century. While buying up land and drilling a new well with "an ocean of oil" underneath it, Plainview manipulates and/or destroys anything that gets in his way. After this movie, you will walk out of the theater feeling rotten, grim, and highly satisfied.
The most talked about aspect of the movie is Daniel Day-Lewis's performance, and, well, it is completely understandable. He gives the performance of his career in this film, and probably the best performance of the decade. Plainview is pure evil on every level, and that is not an easy character to play. Day-Lewis nailed the performance and removed even the slightest hope that his character had any good left in his soul. A lot can be said about the character just by the way he looks at people with hatred. When you see this movie, watch Plainview's eyes.
Other aspects of the film stand out as well, yet they often get shadowed by Day-Lewis's bold performance. Paul Dano gives a wonderful performance as Eli Sunday, a miracle healer. Jonny Greenwood, guitarist for Radiohead, scored the film; it is not the work of your average rock guitarist. It is the work of a prodigy. The music's dissonance gives the perfect feeling of disorientation and depression at exactly the right moments. Anderson's direction is, as always, top of the line. His use of location and his interesting camera shots reel the audience in.
Several critics seem to mark the ending as "controversial." I do not see why. It is the only suitable ending for a movie of this color. Do not pay any attention to those who say the ending is bad. In fact, it is the most powerful scene of the film.
"There Will Be Blood" is a lot to take in with just one viewing. More and more gets revealed with multiple viewings, but the general essence of the film can be captured with one viewing. It is because of this that I do not think the movie will win best picture, director, or adapted screenplay at the Oscars. However, with a total of eight nominations, I'm sure that it will walk away with best actor and probably another statue or two.
Plainview said, "I look at people, and I see nothing worth liking." Go watch this movie, and everything about it will be worth liking.
And yes, there will be blood.
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