There Will Be Disappointment

Rating: 2/10 (1 January 2008)

I am mystified by the proclamations of greatness for "There Will Be Blood." No film has disappointed me as much in ages. When a film runs long, it is expected to provide quality. "Blood" is merely tedious. I almost laughed out loud at the "I drank your milkshake" part. The overacting by DD-L is ludicrous and unappealing. I half suspect that the attacks on oilmen (I have no problem with Luddite views if they are justified) and religion (if merited, fine) are the source of much of the raving on behalf of the film. But the silliness of "Blood" cannot be overlooked by intelligent viewers. If it is post 1929, why does Eli still seem to be 14? Why does the Sunday family not discuss Paul's absence? Why would a shrewd man like Plainview wait so long to test Henry? What happens to his sidekick (the former Julius Caesar of "Rome") whose skills alas are seemingly shunted to the cutting room? Why does HW speak like a person always deaf rather than like a person born hearing? Perhaps an actor who could sign was needed and the adult HW is portrayed by an actor actually deaf? As for the music, terrible. "No Country For Old Men" is so superior in its rendition of a nihilistic view of America that the two films ought not even be mentioned in the same breath.