Review of There Will Be Blood (2007) by Jiana W — 07 May 2014

I don't know what I expected when I sat down to watch this film, but it wasn't... this. I went in not having high expectations simply because critics and fellow film geeks were going completely goo-goo over it, which usually means it ain't all it's cracked up to be. It really wasn't as wonderful as reviews painted it out to be. It was good, but it wasn't *all that*.

In fact, I was admittedly a little bored with the drilling and deal-making and negotiating up until the huge accident in which H.W. became deaf. From then on it got a little more interesting to me as Daniel's personality seemed to shine through a bit more. His transformation and the revelation of the kind of man he was was very interesting to watch unfold and I think Daniel Day-Lewis did a phenomenal and believable job. It was kind of difficult to decipher his relationship with his son, H.W., because at times, it was incredibly loving and there was a clear affection between the two. At other times, particularly when Daniel abandoned him on a train, it became clearer to me that H.W. was more or less a prop to garner sympathy from those that Daniel was manipulating/conning.

It's a really character-driven film and I generally tend to like those. I didn't mind that there wasn't action or those other typical Hollywood elements, but I did feel that it was sometimes weighed down by all tedious business jargon. I realize that's the point but those scenes slowed the film for me and made it feel like I was slogging through.

Nonetheless, a very interesting film if only because of the relationships between Daniel, his son, H.W., and Daniel's nemesis, the fanatical preacher, Eli; played with wonderful creepiness by Paul Dano.

**As a side note, can I just add that I'm a little annoyed at the films constantly depicting religious leaders as weird, holy-rolling zealots and conmen? It gets a little old, even though I am aware those men exist. Can we get a change of pace for once?