One of the best, most important films of recent years

Rating: 10/10 (10 November 2010)

If the early Paul Thomas Anderson seemed to be channeling the young hyper-energetic Martin Scorsese, 'There Will Be Blood' - a more quiet and thoughtful, but no less amazing and cinematic work shows Anderson working in the vein of Stanley Kubrick. In place of a hyperactive camera, there is now a coldly, brilliantly observational one. In place of empathetic if damaged characters there are now people drowning in their own poison and lies.
He has created a film both boldly theatrical and subtly real, both broadly political and intensely personal. Complicated and confusing emotionally and full of ideas and themes, this feels more mature and focused than Anderson's earlier work, brilliant as that all was. Daniel Day Lewis is amazing, the film looks incredible (if simply shot for an Anderson film), and I'm sure I'll only see more and more layers and meanings on repeated viewings.
One of the more important films of recent years, this critique of the American dream of success, of conquest and of control is mesmerizing, and ultimately devastating.