A Goddamned, Hell of a Show

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2018)

The film crawls open with Johnny Greenwood's ominous score , and then never lets up. "There Will Be Blood," brutally exposes the hypocrisies of business and religion, and how their goals are not much different. The film follows Daniel Plainview and his interactions in Southern California that lead to him drilling oil in a small town. The most interesting elements of the film are the interplay between Dano and Day Lewis, and Plainview's relationship with his son. On one hand, we have a ruthless, misanthropic, oil tycoon who wants to drink the town's "milkshake." On the other we have a young, charismatic, aspiring evangelist who wants to take advantage of his town's guest, extorting him for money to build a new church. The oil tycoon wants nothing to do with anyone in the town, he just wants the oil. The priest just wants glory. Their conflict resolution is unexpected, but gratifying.
The character study of Daniel Plainview shows a man who gains power and influence, while simultaneously losing all patience for anyone else who he perceives as a threat or competitor. Plainview's character arc literally starts with him rescuing a baby, and ends with him....well..
"There Will Be Blood" is the 2nd best film that I have ever seen. The musical score, the acting from Daniel Day Lewis, the screenwriting and honesty from PTA, and cinematography make this film more than just a good character study, it's an instant classic.