An outstanding and tragic masterpiece of greed, deception, and ambition.

Rating: 9/10 (28 August 2017)

Paul Thomas Anderson has created a standard to filmmaking that's difficult to match in ambition, scope, and emotional impact. To be frank from the beginning, There Will Be Blood is a masterpiece of superior storytelling not to be forgotten. This was a joy to watch having never seen it when it was released and barely hearing hints of it's content. Walking in with completely fresh eyes was definitely the right decision because I finished this film quite speechless.
One of the film's strongest areas is without a doubt, Daniel Day Lewis that leads the cast. His performance was absolutely breathtaking from start to finish with moments of "he can't be an actor he feels so real." This could arguably be his best performance and definitely is unforgettable. Hopefully Lewis's performance doesn't overshadow the rest of the cast's wonderful performance especially Paul Dano's equally egotistical and deceptive performance.
Anyone looking to study cinematography look no further because it's impossible to take your eyes off every frame in this perfectly crafted picture. Every shot captures the feeling of the story from sweeping wide shots of the dusty desert of the west to uncomfortable close ups of characters capturing resonate emotion from each line of dialogue. P.T. Anderson manages to expertly craft this film through technical perfection to immerse the audience into the story and the character's deep and dark spiral into selfishness, greed, and hatred.
The story is a new great modern tragedy that feels so applicable in a world where "success" can drive a man to become something less than human. As we see this gradual but visible change in Daniel, we take the journey with him through hell.
While I believe There Will Be Blood is phenomenal, I do believe some plot elements could've been explored in greater detail to further some more themes that were apparently trying to say to the audience. Given the over 2 and a half hour run time of the picture however, it makes sense nothing more was added. The pacing did feel quite natural (minus some inconsistencies in the first act that made things slow), and while not every character arcs were necessarily completed, the main two contrasting characters arcs left for a deeply emotional ride with satisfying conclusions. I dare say they share one of the best endings (and ending lines) to a film I've ever seen.
There Will Be Blood deserves to be seen and directed as much as the mind will allow. There's unmatchable depth and layers to this phenomenal film and is highly recommended.