A most annoying yet masterful movie

Rating: 10/10 (28 February 2008)

WARNING! THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. Truly, Paul Thomas Anderson has gone over the top with this one. This movie was enthralling and masterfully done, but it still is the most annoying piece of art I have ever seen. Have you ever seen one of Picasso's paintings? You somehow know there is great genius behind it, and most people love it more than anything in the world, but it disturbs you in such a way that you just want to get the hell out of the art gallery. This movie was like that. Combined with Jonny Greenwood's most horrific and annoying music which unfortunately suited the movie, and its slow yet bold shooting style, "There Will Be Blood" no doubt successfully sent the message through. Heck, it spoon feeds you the black oil, it fills you up with darkness, no matter you want it or not. It is the very portrait of hell, of evil. Some religious people may think that the film was about the lord, about how God's son (Eli) fought the devil (Daniel), it is not. It is the devil vs. the other devil. They are both self-centered, profit seeking, cold-blooded and undeniably evil. I think the director tries to show how feeble the concept of "God" might be when taken up by a person with a smart mouth and great dramatic skills. But the movie only touches upon this subject, not seeking complete attention with the subject because he knows that a movie too obviously about religion will unsettle the masses. He touches it, then seemingly directs attention away from it, yet is still talking about the subject throughout the movie. The Bible references are deeply hidden in the movie. Some critics have said that the movie lacks concentration, I think it is their own benevolence that they did not notice that the director was concentrated on one single subject throughout. Overall, masterfully done, but annoying as hell (pardon the pun). If you have a faint heart, do not watch this movie.