Necromag.co.uk

The latest movie from cult director Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Punch Drunk Love)  has been singled out by critics using usual generic terms as “epic, Oscar worthy, grandiose”, yadda yadda yadda. And rightly God Damn so. It is an engrossing film, chartering the rise of oil baron Daniel Plainview from his early days scratching around in the desert for oil to bartering for millions for his empire. All at the rise of the 20th century. Plainview is an amazing character. A self described “oil man”, one switches from being totally at awe with his determination and passion for his work to loathing the character thoroughly. Without giving too much away, it’s hard to forgive the character for what he does to his son “and business partner” at a crucial turning point in the movie. His conversation with his brother featuring the surely immortal line “I see the worst in people” sums up the character entirely. And the baptism scene…..literally…..b’Jesus! Awesome.

Daniel Day Lewis should rightly win award after award for his performance. An actor of such caliber it is reported that PTA had to fire a cast member who played Plainview’s religious counterpart as it just wasn’t up to scratch alongside the lead. He holds the film in place with raw talent, holding each scene together masterfully, acting with his eyes.

The soundtrack pieced together by Radiohead guitar man Johnny Greenwood adds the right mood to the film, never over-the-top, playing alongside the beautiful world PTA has created.

So is it worth all the hype and hassle? Yes. Is it different to any other movie you’ve seen in the last year? Yes. Will Paul Thomas Anderson finally get the recognition he deserves for quietly invading Hollywood with small classics? We shall see.

By the way, the film’s dubious title will become hilarious after the end of the film. PTA does not lie.