Frustrating...

Rating: 9/10 (12 April 2008)

This film is great. It forces much more from the viewer than a simple viewing. It forces the audience to practically psychoanalyze the characters. But this movie is frustrating. I think it is a very good film, but I do not find it as powerful as others have, and I don't know why. I feel the plot is lacking in some areas. Much more conflict could have and should have been present. The acting is the most impressive part of the film, and by that I mean Daniel Day- Lewis. This is a performance I'll tell my grandchildren about, "so you're into movies now huh? well check out an old film from 2007, 'there will be blood' with Daniel Day-Lewis and you'll see the most amazing performance ever put on film." His character is the movie.
Unfortunately Paul Dano does not match up or even come close (though he gives a solid B performance, contrasted with Day-Lewis he flat out fails, and miserably so). He was miscast in this role, and I know he was a stand in for the original actor who was dismissed from the project, but much more could have been done here with such an important character.
HW's character could have been so much more. His future should have been developed further.
In the end, a tremendous film that should be seen. But I'm left wanting more from the story than what I was given. Frustrating indeed.