Sean opines...
Paul Thomas Anderson is a director I rarely find fault with. His films Boogie Nights (one of my top 100 of all time) and Magnolia are two that I regularly visit and many of this flawed attempts like Hard Eight and Punch Drunk Love still are full of great moments. That is why his attempt at the great American epic is painful to call a failure.
There Will Be Blood is an attempt to emulate Citizen Kane and The Godfather in so many ways. A strong male figure of notable success is the center of the film. Most of the man's life is taken on during the course of the film. All have strained relationships with their sons. Family does not necessarily mean kin. A preoccupation with greed over family is paramount to the direction of the man's life. Citizen Kane succeeded because it truly was the first grand attempt and it has been emulated by all that followed. The Godfather, although not a favorite of mine, is a sage that led to devotion of billions around the world. There Will Be Blood collapses under the maniacal nature of its main character Daniel Plainview and the absurdity of the script's attempt to parallel the rise of Daniel and that of Eli Sunday (Paul Dano). It is the battle of absolute corruption that noone wants to watch. You feel no sympathy for the character Daniel Day-Lewis commits to absolutely here. Daniel's pure evil and insanity ultimately leaves the audience unenthused for the character's progression. The famous scene of Lewis screaming about drinking Eli's milkshake just becomes laughable and puzzling - which is what a viewer walks away with. I would rather hear Kelis sing her famous song instead!
The film also is flawed in its pacing and attempts to move the story forward even in frame. I basically felt that I was watching the a documentary on how oil is drilled. The move begins with Daniel Plainview mining. No narrative hook, just a boring view of how to mine. This continues throughout. Sometimes it catches your interest but editing should have focused more on story and not on the how to. The score is a total failure. The score just made the film plod even in scenes! the cinematographer tried so hard to make this film visually stunning, but the score, script and director basically framed a scope that was dull. I found myself leaving the theatre wondering why my director went wrong?
This is not a fun or interesting film to watch in my review. Daniel Day-Lewis' (a phenomenal actor) performance will be the Rain Man of our age if he wins the Oscar... lampooned more for its absurdity then his talent. All and all 2 and 1/2 hours I wish I had back.
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