A Very Well-Made Film, but No Best Picture

Rating: 7/10 (6 February 2008)

I don't quite understand why There Will be Blood is being given praise such as 'the greatest film ever' and 'best picture of the year'. This is certainly not the film I saw.
Paul Thomas Anderson's epic tale of greed, pride, and selfishness is indeed a masterpiece in terms of technical achievement. While giving respect to classic film-making, Anderson's film feels very new. Large credit for this has to go to the groundbreaking original score by Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead. His score is unlike any orchestral composition you've ever heard, very eerie and almost tense. I know that one of the people I saw it with said they hated the score. I thought it served its purpose quite well. Besides that, the directing really is very well-done with eye-catching cinematography, great costumes, and good writing.
But let's get down to the real thing: Daniel Day-Lewis. There is no denying that his performance as oilman Daniel Plainview in this film is truly the best of the year, really of many years. He creates a character that is truly heartbreaking and disgusting in his utter disregard for anything but his own success. Even when he can feel the disappointment in himself, he can't bring himself to change his ways. He still serves only himself and can't stand to see anyone else succeed. Paul Dano also serves up a brave and somewhat disturbing performance of his own as the hellfire preacher who opposes Daniel.
The film however is far from perfect. Several subplots are hard to follow and one in particular is very confusing. I still can't quite make sense of it. Obviously some kind of symbolism was meant, but it didn't come through. And the film is very long, too long in fact. The first fifteen minutes are pure silence, a unique beginning that got old fast. While the story of Daniel is truly heartbreaking and intriguing to watch, many of the story lines are drawn out far too long. Some have called this "character development"- I call it slow moving. It's high-time for the end when it gets there.
At heart, There Will be Blood is a character sketch of a really despicable man. The story is certainly worth watching, however unfortunately drawn out. Don't go in expecting a light and stimulating time at the movies- you won't get it. This film's a real downer, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But perhaps with this film you're just down too long. 7/10 stars!
Jay Addison