Its good Jim....but not that good.

Rating: 6/10 (17 September 2008)

---------SPOILERS--------- Well, firstly try and ignore the hype from earlier in the year. This film does not live up to it. However, it is well worth watching for some very memorable scenes and dialogue and of course Daniel Day Lewis's performance. What is wrong with it? Maybe the hype didn't do it any favours. But the main problem as I see it is that we are not allowed inside Plainview's mind. He keeps blocking us out. This is obviously intentional but what else are we left with? None of the other characters are developed to any great depth. And, for all its technique, it ends up feeling rather flat. I've heard it gets better on second viewing though...