There was something missing

Rating: 6/10 (15 June 2008)

I really didn't know how to react as I left this movie. After all the buzz, the extraordinary reviews... I was somewhat disappointed. I know - I SHOULD have liked it. The degree of perfection in just about every detail, the beautiful cinematography, DD Lewis' performance, the tale of greed and human corruption... But I just didn't enjoy it. This is a film I would show in any Cinema class. Every future director should appreciate this film for it's formal perfection. But that's it. I couldn't tell whether Daniel's character was too complex or too simple to be INTERESTING. In this journey, you escalate towards chaos at a boringly constant pace. Never drawn to it, never surprised by it. I tried to like it. I looked for the metaphors, the edge, the anxiety, but it just wasn't there - it wasn't ACESSIBLE. I paradoxically felt I looked into a work of art which was deprived of humanity. I reckon it was Mr.Lewis' fault. I soon saw the evil that lied deep within his eyes. You didn't need 2 and 1/2 hours to get to know Daniel Plainview.Hell, you just needed a photograph. If you are enthralled by technical details, watch it. If not, save yourself from the boredom, the predictability, and yet another proof that people will rather bow and worship everyone else's opinion than actually standing for their own.If you liked this movie, you're probably no different than those praying after Paul Dano's character.