Review of There Will Be Blood (2007) by Owen H — 22 May 2016

Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood is an intense drama focused on the conflict between ruthless capitalist Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) and egotistical preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano). On the surface the film is about an early 20th century oil prospector building his wealth in Southern California. However the film's themes and subplots go far deeper, exposing a highly complex story about family, business, religion and human nature. It is a thought provoking masterpiece of filmmaking that stayed with me after the end credits and seemed to improve the more I considered and reflected on it.

The most striking and obvious talking point of the film is Daniel Day-Lewis' performance, which rightfully won him an Oscar. His manages to shift from terrifyingly intense to unnervingly quiet from scene to scene. Day-Lewis brings the most out of Anderson's writing with expert delivery packed with emotion. He also brings an incredible physical element to the role in the subtle ways he demonstrates power with his walk, the way he holds himself in scenes and his piercing, ever present gaze. He effortlessly coveys the character's ruthlessness and detachment from others, and adds a feeling of tension whenever he's on screen. However Paul Dano is by no means overshadowed as he delivers a powerhouse performance as Eli Sunday and his brother Paul. Like Day-Lewis he can shift from almost maniacal preaching to calmness resulting in a similar unnerving feeling. It is a shock that he was not even nominated for best supporting actor at the 2008 Oscars as it really is effortlessly brilliant. It is also worth noting Dillon Freasier as Daniel Plainview's son, HW. Despite his young age he gives a talented well-rounded performance that results in a convincing and hugely important father son relationship.

The real star of the film however is Jonny Greenwood's score. It is continuously ominous and foreboding, giving every scene an air of threat. It almost feels like a score for a horror film which, combined with the tense performances and complex writing, gives the film an element of real life terror. The power of the score means that even when it isn't in a scene you still have the intensity due to the way it builds up, making the silences feel like everything is coming to a head. The climactic scene removes the background music, allowing Day-Lewis and Dano to really hit home. Combining this score with Robert Elswit's beautiful cinematography really drives home the brilliance of this film. Elswit uses reasonably lengthy takes to capture the performances, and epic wide shots to capture the astonishing scenery. The film's big action moment, where oil shoots out of the ground to create a towering inferno, is a work of cinematic art.

Overall There Will Be Blood boasts everything needed to create the perfect film. Incredible writing, complex characters, award winning performances, an astounding score and expert cinematography. It delivers a realistic, yet often terrifying, story that will make you think. A true masterpiece.