Review of There Will Be Blood

Movie of the year

Paul Thomas Anderson has not made a bad movie. I know it has been very popular to dislike him and even to dismiss his movies, but dig down and be honest with yourself: he has not made a bad film. Sure, he can be accused of being overly 'quirky,' but I think Anderson has always used his playful tone to interesting effect. I find films populated with quirky characters just for the sake of cheap jokes to fall somewhere between lame and stomach churning, but there have always been enough layers to Anderson's films for him to get away with it. Still, he has not made a 'straight' drama since Boogie Nights a decade ago.

Well, his return to hard drama is not only welcome, but revelatory. There Will Be Blood is the best drama, period piece, actor showcase, and thriller I have seen all year. Anderson's look at one oil tycoon's struggle for power and wealth in early 20th century America owes a massive debt to Kubrick, and Blood straddles elements of character drama and horror in a style worthy of his best.

In a film filled with remarkable performances, Daniel Day-Lewis turns in the best of the bunch as oil-man Daniel Plainview. Possibly even the best of his career. With a career like his, that is no easy feat. Of the supporting characters, Paul Dano does the best job as the preacher and possible charlatan Eli Sunday. The conflict between these two men spans several years and their give and take is fascinating to watch.

Anderson again turns to his long time cinematographer Robert Elswit to deliver a gorgeous and challenging film with every frame. Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead provides a soundtrack that is terrific from beginning to end (and far better than Radiohead's last offering. Fuck those guys, Greenwood). When the three artists' elements mesh together at their best, it is breathtaking. The best example in Blood, the oil derrick fire sequence, stands as one of the best scenes ever committed to film, visually, dramatically, and aurally. Honest, friends. It is one of many scenes I am excited to return to the theatre to watch again.

Movie. Of. The. Year.

Aaron.
whatsaninternet.blogspot.com

Posted on 01/19/08 by: Aaron 03:29 AM