Andersons most mature and ambitious film yetthough his growth as a filmmaker remains hindered by an obsession with effect and a disinterest in depth. Day-Lewis, channeling John Huston and Orson Welles the grumbling intonations, the crazy-eyed glares and who-knows-who-else, is nothing short of astounding. There Will Be Blood dvd There has been plenty of critical pants-wetting about Paul Thomas Andersons latest film, and I am an Anderson admirer to be sure but beyond an acting nomination for Daniel Day Lewis, I just cant get on that train. Any towering institution is capable of producing monsters, even if none of them are as far removed from human frailty as Plainview Day-Lewis and his pitiable nemesis Dano. Here is a film that makes its enormous intentions abundantly clear, then follows up on them magnificently, resulting in what seems destined to become a bona fide American classic. A shockingly assured directorial vision.
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