Review of There Will Be Blood (2007) by Nathan R — 19 Jul 2015

Paul Thomas Anderson's adaptation of Upton Sinclair's "Oil!" is so very good it is challenging for me to fully express how good it really it. First of all, this is not really an "adaptation" of Sinclair's work. "Oil!" only serves as a sort of "springing board" into the story that Anderson tells. Staring Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano the film follows the story of Day-Lewis' "Daniel Plainview" who is first presented as determined silver-minor with a burning ambition to be an "Oil Man.' Determination quickly morphs into ruthless. His only "grounding" arrives in the form of a son who's own father is killed a tragic accident. Plainview's first real threat comes in the form of power-hungry young preacher.

At it's core the film is about the rage-filled greed of two men. The question is, which of these two men has the most rage to win what becomes an epic battle. In other words, the creation of Corporate America.

The two leading actors are brilliant, but PT Anderson is actually the star here. Even with a long running time, "There Will Be Blood" moves at a fast pace. 2 hours and 38 minutes feels like under 90 minutes under Anderson's watch. The movie is actually a grim satire which is largely concerned as being an homage to Stanley Kubrick. From the first shot and sound, Kubrick is the clear muse here. From the beginning to the unforgettable ending in which Mr. Plainview seems to not only be living in the Outlook Hotel but he appears to even be wearing Jack's sweater. There are no ghosts or surrealism here -- the demon that haunts our protagonist is greed. Brilliant.