|
|
Written for the screen and Inspired by
Starring
Presented by Rated R 158 Minutes
|
 |
||
 |
||||
|
THERE
WILL BE BLOOD Review
If you were to make a list of the most important filmmakers of the last twenty years, there’s no doubt that Paul Thomas Anderson would make the list. With only four features to his credits, Anderson has made some memorable films with BOOGIE NIGHTS and MAGNOLIA, while PUNCH DRUNK LOVE was good but not great. His latest film, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, all but guarantees that Anderson is at the top of his game with one of the most staggering performances ever put on screen. THERE WILL BE BLOOD tells the story of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) who by his own admission is an oilman, nothing more. All he cares about is oil and wealth. His determination for this is shown in the prologue of the film as Daniel, alone, goes looking for gold in a cave and breaks his leg. He crawls himself to the nearest town where his findings of silver begin his wealth. Four years later, at his first oil dig, he loses a worker and callously adopts the worker’s infant boy, not just to take care of him, but to use his innocent face to buy land. Fast forward nine years to 1911, where the bulk of the story begins, and Daniel, now a wealthy oil man, is visited by a young man named Paul Sunday (Paul Dano) who tells him of a wealth of oil underneath his land. As Daniel visits the area, he finds his breakthrough, in his own words, an “ocean of oil underneath our feet.” He buys the land and sets up a well in the area. Immediately he clashes with Eli Sunday (also played by Dano), who intends on using Plainview’s money to build a church for his newfound religion, the Church of Third Revelation. Soon, things start to go awry at the well. A worker is killed, Daniel’s son becomes deaf from an accident, and a man shows up claiming to be Daniel’s half brother. Throughout all this, both the cold nature of both Daniel and Eli are shown, and they come to an interesting confrontation when both show signs of desperation. If there is one reason to see this film, it is Daniel Day-Lewis, giving one of the best performances you will ever see. A revelation, Lewis portrays a man of power and greed with such callousness and raw emotion, he IS Daniel Plainview. In scenes where Lewis says nary a word, just his display of emotions at those around him are simply a marvel to watch. This is the best portrayal of greed since probably Welles in CITIZEN KANE, and Lewis proves he is one of the best actors of all time with this performance. Paul Dano is also very good as Paul and Eli, especially as Eli delivering as a supposed prophet from God. Lewis sees through his act immediately and Eli’s reluctance to give in sets forth the scene. Dano is at his best when at the mercy of Plainview, showing his weakness at times where he is supposed to be strong in the eyes of God. The film is a great example of power vs. religion, and its 1911 setting make it topical almost a century later, as Anderson shows a time when the industry was changing, and Plainview, a self made man, shows disgust at the new corporate men who want to buy his oil. In the first scene with dialogue, Plainview states that men of wealth are just speculators who try to get between the oilman and the land owner, trying to steal the money that comes to them both. Considering today’s feelings towards places like Walmart and Enron, it’s easy to see Plainview’s perspective. It is a testament to the powerful script by Anderson, who paces everything very well. With a budget of only $25 million, the scope feels more epic as Anderson delivers a beautifully shot film, lensed in the southwest doubling as California, it shows the beauty and solace of America of that time, while some moments, particularly where the oil in the well engulfs in flames, are just splendid to watch. The final shot of the scene, where Plainview, covered in oil, looks on to the fire as the orange light shines on his face. The camera slowly zooms into Plainview, as he starts to smile, realizing just how much oil he has in his possession, and how much he’ll profit from it. I have to give special mention to the music by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, with pulse pounding single cords transcending to a full orchestra in the style of an old 1920s movie. It fits perfectly with the film. At 158 minutes, the film goes at a steady pace, until the final act, which was fine but brought the film to a surprising conclusion with Daniel and Eli. The film’s final moments however, are shocking in pure Anderson style. In all, THERE WILL BE BLOOD is Anderson’s best film to date with a performance that must be seen and should be honored come Oscar time. It is not the best filim of 2007, but it caps off a great year for filmmaking with a great look at how both greed and religion can impact man with their choices in life. THERE WILL BE BLOOD: 9 Out Of 10 Maggots
|
HOME
BLOGS
|
|||
