Lewis the legend.

Rating: 9/10 (7 February 2008)

I watched this film with a friend who wondered what all the fuss was about, as well as what the hell this movie was trying to say. I couldn't help him because I was a little overwhelmed by what I just sat through and it took me a few days to put it all together and work out why. When a movie has that affect on you, then you know it achieved it's goal.
A movie with the main character as a greedy, power hungry human is pure box office poison. The protagonist has to have some empathy for the audience to share the journey with. But the character, Daniel Plainview (love the name), had none of those elements that were so obvious. For this film you had to look deep for those qualities in the protagonist, and when you did come across them in certain scenes, you wondered why you even bother caring for such a character. Then it dawned on me, I fell into the same trap when I watched Raging Bull. No matter how repulsive or brutal the main character was, they were fascinating, and this is all because of the performances. Daniel Day Lewis saved this film from a certain death.
What also saved it is the direction of Paul Thomas Anderson. I admired all his movies and still do after watching this. He was brave enough to contain his scenes within minimal shots and cuts. Some scenes played within the one shot. This enabled the viewer to concentrate on the amazing performances and not to be distracted by the editing process which can sometimes hide the flaws within a screenplay.
There was also plenty of references to today's political climate. I'm sure there is one there about the oil companies and religion working together to benefit each other. Maybe Daniel represents the oil companies who use religion to get what he wants and visa-versa, There is also the relationship with his son, someone he has brought up and educated about the workings of his business. Is this the same relationship as the USA had with Iraq until the powerful nation thought that the little guy got a bit too big for his boots so they booted him out. And how about when Daniel's so-called-brother shows up. Who does this long lost brother represent? Is it Afghanistan? The same ones that the USA had helped to fight the Russians? Maybe I'm getting a little carried away here, but I'm sure there are plenty of little connections and references we can make between today's current political turmoil and what the movie has to offer us.
Most of all, see this movie for it's breathtaking cinematography, the haunting music, the perfect production design, the brave direction and most of all, the performances of a lifetime from the modern acting master Â– Mr. Lewis.