Review of There Will Be Blood (2007) by Mark H — 17 Apr 2018
A masterpiece. This film is about as close to a perfect film as I have ever seen. So focused. So absolutely sure-footed. Paul Thomas Anderson knows from the opening shots to the incredible closing scene precisely where this movie is going.
Daniel Day-Lewis is not playing Daniel Plainview. He IS him. Day-Lewis ceases to exist inside this uber-intense, driven, pathologically greedy capitalist. Plainview exists solely to obtain wealth. But not just wealth, he wants to destroy anyone who poses even the slightest obstacle to his plans.
He is sinister, calculating and lacks almost any semblance of kindness or love. He uses people, even his "son," an orphan who's father died working for Plainview. He is patient, willing to work for years to build his empire.
His purpose is merely to achieve enough wealth to build a mansion and live alone. This movie is almost unbearably intense at times. One of the best depictions of what unbridled capitalism looks like, set during the oil boom of the early 1900's.
By 1920's, Plainview is a millionaire many times over, living in a huge, sprawling mansion that he treats recklessly (a scene depicts him shooting various objects inside an ornate hall with a gun).
He is aging, crippled from his early fall down a mine shaft, and an alcoholic. This movie is probably one of the top 10 movies ever made. Every scene feels right.
This review of There Will Be Blood (2007) was written by Mark H on 17 Apr 2018.
There Will Be Blood has generally received very positive reviews.
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