Oil is thicker than blood

Rating: 8/10 (8 March 2017)

Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood" tells the story of an unscrupulous oil prospector (Daniel Day-Lewis) in the early days of the twentieth century. Already a modest success, he purchases the land that he hopes will lead to even greater fortune. This places him in a long-running battle of wills with a local preacher (Paul Dano).
Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his portrayal of ruthless oil man Daniel Plainview. While perhaps a bit too mannered for my preference, I have to admit that he immersed himself completely in the role. I was actually more drawn to Paul Dano as the sometimes explosive religious zealot, Eli Sunday. In any case, the palpable friction between these two actors provides us with the best illustration of Plainview's relentless character.
The script, which was loosely based on an Upton Sinclair novel, is thought-provoking and fairly interesting even though it is perhaps a bit sparse. There's not much of a character arc for Plainview; rather the film showcases a dogged determination on his part and an unwillingness to change. The ending may be a little out-of-the-blue for some viewers but I thought that it was fitting.
As far as I'm concerned, the best part about the film is the artistry with which it is presented. Anderson's direction is stellar throughout, making it easy to forgive that his script sometimes lacks momentum. Jonny Greenwood's score has some memorable motifs, such as the piercing, dissonant violins that open the picture. However, there were a few times when I found the music at odds with the visuals, which wouldn't have been as noticeable if the score wasn't so prominent.
All in all, the film is well worth watching even though I prefer the audacious scope of "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia". Less reminiscent of Robert Altman's sprawling ensemble pieces like "Nashville" & "Short Cuts", "There Will Be Blood" instead has similarities to the much more intimate "McCabe & Mrs. Miller". Regardless, the film probably represents Anderson's most potent effort from an artistic standpoint (at least to date).