strong out of the gate, fades at finish

Rating: 7/10 (13 May 2008)

Like many movies, TWBB develops a very complex and detailed character story over the first three quarters of the run time, but seems to suddenly realize that the end is near and wraps things up too hastily.
The story is an examination of the capitalistic competition of the America experience. The embodiment of this is Daniel Plainview, who by his own admission is consumed by competition to the point that he sees every other person as an enemy. He has essentially no empathy with any other person. All his relationships are subordinate to his competitive drive for oil, money, power.
This is revealed directly in a moment of drunken weakness when he confides in his impostor brother that he "can't do it alone anymore".
The inner conflict and pain his dog-eat-dog ethos is presented in the glimmers of feelings with the adopted son HW. The moments around the campfire, riding the train etc. show the potential for emotional connection. However, this is damaged when the well blow out makes Planview chose between HWs well being and the biggest strike of his life. Naturally, he chooses the material over the emotional.
The pain of this decision haunts him ever after. In his subjugation at the evangelist meeting through to his flashback to happier times after he has his final break with HW.
What is missing in the finish is a more complete de-volution of the Plainview/HW relationship between HW return from deaf school until the showdown at the mansion. Clearly, a lot of bad water has passed under the bridge by the time HW asks to be allowed to forge his own way in Mexico.
All in all a very solid picture. For any father, the tenderness and tension in the relationship between Plainview and HW is certain to leave a strong impression. While the moment of decision may not be a dramatic as an oil well blow out, the fear of deciding between family or career casts a dark cloud of uncertainty over many fathers.
As far as Day Lewis performance goes, a very outstanding effort even though it seems to be a re-cycle of Bill the Butcher in many respects. Let's hope Mr. Day-Lewis' next project provides a big change of pace - maybe more heroic in the My Left Foot or Last of Mohicans vein or even a romantic comedy?