BrisbaneNorg

There Will be Blood: Review

Critical Acclaim for Paul Anderson’s (of Boogie Nights fame) ‘There Will Be Blood’ has been unfailing and unanimous.  The consensus is that that this film is ‘Epic’, an ‘American Classic’, and one that will thoroughly deserve every award that it gets.  Capping it off is Daniel Day Lewis’ hypnotic performance as the relentless Oil Man: Daniel Plainview.  

So why isn’t it showing in any of the multiplexes? Going into the theatre lat night stocked up with water, coffee, dark chocolate and werthers for the 3 hour marathon, I found myself asking that question with a sense of heightened indignity. Surely a movie this good deserved more than art house release and empty cinemas a week after its opening? Was I the only one who appreciated good cinema? 

15 minutes in I was still outraged. The opening sequence, without a word being spoken, is instantly engaging.   The hook sinks in straight away and pulls you along relentlessly for the film’s duration.   

From the very beginning the film transports the audience to the American oil fields of the early 20^th Century – I can’t remember a film that places you so deftly in its setting, from the sprawling scenery and townships,  to the actors who all sound and feel as if they have been transported in a time machine.  Once he finally speaks, Day-Lewis’ slow and carefully rounded American accent seems affected at first, though it soon has the effect of making you listen to every syllable he speaks.  ‘Hypnotic’ definately is the right word for his performance. 

The plot in the movie is the trajectory of Day Lewis’ character, from humble beginnings in the bottom of a mine in 1898, to the dizzying heights of the pre-depression boom.  Having established the background, most of the action takes place at one particular well that Plainview’s company sets up.  What follows is an examination of Plainview’s relationship with the 3 other major characters in the film: his son, the local pastor and his brother, with other minor characters also having their place.     

In fact, it is the film’s focus on characters that probably explains why such a magnificent film is in such limited release.  In that respect the plot really does play second fiddle to the character development. With most punters (me included, I guess) wanting a film that emphasises a start, middle, twist, and finish – then this film might be distracting, or even annoying.   Certainly I started to ask myself the questions  like “what is this pastor guy doing here all the time?’ and ‘Why don’t they just get on with it and build the well?’ This emphasis on the characters is also highlighted by the leapfrog in years which happens towards then end of the film.   By that stage you get the feeling that the film will just 'end'.  And when it does end (and what an ending) there is a sense of ‘well…what was all that about?’  Certainly that’s what the other audience members seemed to be thinking when the credits started to role. Though at the same time, I think we all knew that we had just seen an amazing film.  

There Will Be Blood is a character study in evil that stays with you without giving answers.  It is a brilliant film that confirms’ Daniel Day Lewis’ genius as an actor.  See it while you can.