An instant classic and a performance of extraordinary power

Rating: 9/10 (6 March 2008)

I have read many reviews of 'There Will Be Blood'on the IMDb pages.Many have called the film one big bore while several have said that Daniel Day-Lewis overacts.I think that these people are wrong in a very big way as this is a film that will stand the test of time with a performance by Day-Lewis that will rank amongst the very best in years to come.
This is a long movie at around two and a half hours but it never seemed to drag at all.It can be argued that it is a story about greed versus the church,but I thought it was more of a character study of one man and his dreams,passion and drive.The direction by Paul Thomas Anderson is excellent throughout and he gets the best out of all of his actors.A special word must be said about the cinematography which is superb.As mentioned,the acting is pretty much first rate and Paul Dano does a fine job as Eli Sunday although at times he does seem a little young for the role.The story is very well paced and although not exactly action packed it is never boring despite what so many people say.I wasn't too sure about the soundtrack at times but gradually it did win me over and suited the mood of the movie.Now we come to the lead role and it may take me some time to write about this so please bear with me.I'll start a new paragraph as it is a performance that needs a section all of it's own.
Daniel Day-Lewis is nothing short of sensational here and it is the finest performance I have seen for years.He absolutely becomes Daniel Plainview to such an extent that you forget that your are watching an actor and feel that you are watching a real character.It truly is a fantastic performance and well worth the Oscar that he won.I know that a few reviewers have called his performance theatrical and over the top especially towards the end of the movie but believe me they are completely wrong.It is acting of the very highest order and Day-Lewis convinces in absolutely every scene that he is in.Towards the end of the movie we see a man who has aged and become very bitter with strong hints that he is verging on the brink of insanity.It is played beautifully.The character of Daniel Plainview is a complex one as at times he is tender,arrogant,frightening and desperate.Make no mistake here,Daniel Day-Lewis gives a performance of such raw power that this role will be talked about in years to come as one of the very best in cinema,it is that good.Just watch the scene where he kneels for forgiveness in church and see him wince due to the pain in his leg.It is simple but brilliant.
'There Will Be Blood' is a very good film and the only reason that I haven't given it a 10 is because I think a movie needs more than one viewing before you can give it a maximum mark.When I watch it again it may well hit that 10 mark.I have seen 'No Country For Old Men' and consider TWBB to be by far the better film.It deserves to be in the top 30 and in time may very well approach the top 10.Don't listen to the negativity and watch this film with admiration and for a performance that just may be one of the best ever.