Review of There Will Be Blood (2007) by Tate B — 27 Feb 2013

Paul Thomas Anderson's greatest triumph to date, There Will Be Blood, is a decadent portrayal of greed. The appealing grin of Daniel Plainview raptures the audience, but as the plot progresses, a vengeful smirk emerges, flashing the gritty teeth of deceit.

The film acquires a historical legitimacy from the authentic set of the early oil industry. On top of the stunning scenery is a percussive score that effectively paces the movie regardless of its run time nearing three hours.

The greatest treasure in this instant classic is the performance by Daniel Day Lewis, so naturally adept for the role of Plainview that the acting seems spontaneously generated, nothing lost in translation.

Aside from the cosmetic details of this film lies a compelling message that works on many levels, the most familiar being the shady fraud behind many of today's thriving corporations, which in essence leaves no room for dispute but rather spells out the consequence of power in the hands of a voracious individual.