An acquired oil painting

Rating: Null/10 (16 March 2009)

I doubt this film did well at the box office. I say this because this isn't the sort of film I would choose to watch on the big screen.
I think it is important to express the following. In order to fully appreciate this motion picture you must like art. It is imperative that you enjoy art. It is imperative that you enjoy acting. It is imperative that you do not look to explosions and special effects for entertainment. If you enjoyed No Country for old men and Ammadeus you may well very much enjoy this picture.
This film does not 'entertain'. It is a long walk on a journey of the mind. It's hard to describe it and since others have no doubt done a better job I won't try.
Daniel Fairview is an 'oil man' with a grande strategy for making his work come to fruition whilst reaping large financial benefits. That's about as much as you really need to know, that and throughout the film all you are really aware of is his greed, anger, hatred and quiet benign of everything and everyone in the world around him. That's about as much as you really need to know, the rest follows swiftly behind.
It's very hard to grade this film because as much as I enjoyed it and come close to giving it a 9 or a ten, it's very difficult because I don't think I would watch it again.
*spoiler* It is worth the entire duration of the film to view the final act. Then it hits you like the finale of a stage play. I won't give it away, it needs to be seen. I recommend getting it from the library for free, that's what we did.