An Acting Tour-de-force

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2016)

P.T. Anderson is a brave film maker, and everybody has known it since his first endeavors in the 1990s. He isn't afraid to get trapped in his own style, taking the risk of treading a thin line of what could be called "tedious" or "pointless" film making.
Obviously, this film has won its accolades and deserving place in "best of lists", as it ultimately is a tour de force both in directing and in acting. The two leads are astonishing, and Day Lewis is exceptional, as his descent into paranoia is a performance of an archetypical character, much attempted by lesser actors, but only equaled by few (Al Pacino in Scarface is a prime example). The climax is nothing less but excellent.
But on the other hand, the film could have had a better pace, as it can't be described exactly as "gripping". It definitely gets better with multiple viewings, but the entertainment value could be a little higher.