There Will Be Blood (2008)

Skewed exploration of the great American themes of religion, family, and capitalism

Fascinating film exploring the great American themes of religion, family, and capitalism. Director Poul Thomas Anderson creates a parallel universe all his own (ostensibly the early 20th century) through daring use of lighting, music, and silence. Daniel Day Lewis's performance as the uncomprising oilman is superb. A few lulls and an abrupt ending are the only thing that detract from this one. Admittedly not to all tastes. November 19, 2008

Fantastic movie

I had heard that There Will Be Blood was a very slow and long movie. I saw a preview on tv that intrigued me enough to take the time to watch it and I am glad I did. This is one of the best movies I've seen in recent memory. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Daniel Day-Lewis is an amazing actor. The movie is 2 1/2 hours long, but does not seem like it. I will definitely take the time to sit down and watch this movie again. My only regret is that I waited so long to watch it the first time. November 17, 2008

This movie was made to win awards, not to be entertaining

THERE WILL BE BLOOD is a perfect example of the disconnect of Hollywood and its version of a "good" movie and what the American public will pay to go see. This movie was nominated for several awards, including best picture, and Daniel Day Lewis picked up the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Daniel Plainview. Daniel Plainview is an oil man. He's an independant oil man and very persuasive at getting land owners to let him drill on their land. Plainview gets word of a town that has tons of oil, and he heads there with his young son. Plainview convinces the town to let him drill on their land, and promises new roads and schools and much wealth for the people.

This movie is all about Daniel Plainview, his son, and the person he truly is. As the movie progresses, Daniel Plainview doesn't change, he just reveals what kind of person he is. The movie is based on the novel OIL, by socialist Upton Sinclair, yet the movie contains no political message against big oil or big business. Plainview's primary adversary in the movie is Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a pastor of a small church in the town. While the church's beliefs are anything but mainstream, the movie has really nothing to say about religion.

This is a movie made in Hollywood for Hollywood. I'll admit I enjoyed Daniel Day Lewis' portrayal of Daniel Plainview. In the film, Plainview looked exactly like a 1980s Tom Selleck. I also enjoyed the scenery and early 20th centurey setting. For the first twenty minutes of the movie, there is no dialogue. This is very unrealistic and shows that the filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson is trying to take the viewers out of the movie and notice the director.

This is a well made movie with a good performance by Lewis. But it is also an overlong character study of a despicable man. I can see why this movie won awards, and I can also see why it was a box office failure. (According to Box Office Mojo, ranked 66th in 2007, just behind WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP.)
November 12, 2008

Scenic gritty early 20th century

A beautiful tale of greed and consuming madness. Wonderfully gritty and very beautiful yet maintains its early 20th century Upton Sinclair feel. Blu ray is the way to go. Rich sharp viewing. November 10, 2008

Even better than my superlatives will make it seem

This adaptation of OIL! by Upton Sinclair is so stunning that I'll forgive the author for his exclamation point. 158 minutes, and Sinclair's one of those respected writers we've all heard about without ever reading. I am guilty. And the movie weighs in at 158 minutes, so I expected boring but watchable. Nope. I was blown away. Over already? Damn.

It makes me want to read the guy's work, and to learn more about the screenwriter responsible for such a powerful adaptation of the novel.

Finally, I'd call this the greatest performance of Daniel Day-Lewis's career, and yes I have seen him in other movies.

This movie, quite simply, does everything right.
November 9, 2008

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