A strange absorbing film

Rating: 9/10 (3 January 2008)

P. T. Anderson makes an old-fashioned film completely different from his other films. This is a story of an oilman around the turn of the last century, a man who is driven by ambition greed, and hatred for his fellow men. He is really a huckster conning landowners out of their mineral rights by the sheer strength of his personality, and his ability to answer any question they might ask, and satisfying their poverty-driven greed by promising them untold wealth. He is opposed only by an impossibly young preacher who tries to help his people, but fails. The movie revolves around the evil,power struck, hater of men played by Daniel Day-Lewis. His morality knows no bounds and he is willing to do anything, including cold-blooded murder to gain what he wants. The film is great in showing the plight of the land-owner and working class of Americans during this period. It is epic in all places, acting writing directing music, photography. PT Anderson and Lewis are GREAT film-makers. Everyone should see this film.