A modern day masterpiece with a bravura performance from Day-Lewis

Rating: 9/10 (2 March 2008)

Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood, a loose adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel "Oil!," is a breath-taking tour-de-force of amazing cinematography, music, writing, directing and acting. Basically, everything in this movie is stunning! Beginning with a captivating 15 minutes of silent film and ending with a shocking and depressing blow, "There Will Be Blood" is a movie that will remain with the viewer like a dark cloud above their head for some time after the credits roll. The journey is epic, with the running time clocking in at 158 minutes, but ultimately rewarding.
This grand story spans three decades and follows the endeavors of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis, in an Oscar winning act). Beginning with him stumbling across an oil patch, journeying through his time as a self-proclaimed "oilman" and concluding with a power mad, alcoholic elderly man. Over this period we are able to see Plainview's gradual descent in madness due to power, wealth and ultimately, greed. However, Plainview is constantly battling Eli Sunday (Paul Dano, an excellent support), a prophet and leader for his local church.
Beating at the film's heart of darkness is Daniel Day-Lewis. This is easily his greatest performance, which is saying a lot. But his possession of Plainview is a physical and psychological work of art that beats everything he has done. Day-Lewis is the abyss of a man's soul  it's there in his limp, the eerie squint of his eyes and in the "competition" that flows through his veins and suggests the madness of his future. Plainview is not a caricature, though, of a power hungry man. Some of his acts are horrible, but his commitment is at times inspiring and at the start of the movie, he is a caring father and seemingly kind gentleman.
On the opposite end is Eli Sunday, a slimy little boy who is nothing but a false preacher who constantly tries to obtain money from Plainview. He is the embodiment of a crooked leader of a religion out to gain a group of mindless subjects to preach to. It is at the thrilling climax that these two gigantic figures clash with verbal and physical rage.
The acting is only a part of the brilliance of this movie. The beautiful cinematography is nothing short of astounding and rightly won the Oscar. Long, sweeping camera movements help show off the vast deserts, country town and enormous oil rigs. The score adds to the dark theme of the movie, at times it is actually creepy and carries a very horrific/Gothic element which works quite well. Finally, accolades must go to Paul Thomas Anderson for writing and directing, the script is perfect and PTA's direction is nothing short of flawless. Despite the movies running time, the pace flows beautifully and helps to unfold a deep and layered tale of power, wealth, greed and corruption.
4½/5