Garbage. Vile, Sadistic Garbage.

Rating: 1/10 (15 February 2008)

I didn't think it was possible. I didn't think it was in the least bit possible to make a film that I would forever despise more than that film dreck known as "Armageddon". But somehow, Hollywood manage to produce a filth of a movie called "There Will Be Blood." My title says it all: I consider "Blood" to be vile, sadistic garbage.
I can find practically no redeeming qualities about this film at all. The plot, centering around a success-driven early-20th century oil man (Daniel Day-Lewis), is only vaguely interesting. The first half is just a series of the same, tired "independent businessman tries to make deals" storyline that we've not only seen dozens of times, but is patently boring. I nearly fell asleep during most of it. Then it turns into "independent businessman becomes malicious psychopath" that is so utterly repulsive, I just wanted the ruddy thing to end. I don't think I've looked at my watch more times during any film, ever, just praying for the closing credits! The only thing that kept me seated in the theater was inertia
The pacing is terrible. This is a film that could use a good 45-minute edit. There's no need to have this movie two and a half hours long, it says all it can possibly say (which isn't very much) in a lot less than that. But it just gurgles along like oil seeping out of the ground: slimy, filthy, and repulsive.
The characters were practically devoid of any interest whatsoever. I can't remember any that had any redeeming qualities. Day-Lewis' character was vaguely pitiable for a while, but then becomes just a sordid pile of hate and intensely unlikable. The son is mildly interesting, more so after a tragedy takes his hearing, but then is cast aside and so mishandled by the writers he almost becomes a write-off. Then there's a preacher, such an insane caricature (even by anti-religious Hollywood standards) he's instantly unbelievable and just ridiculous. I found nothing "fascinating" about any of these people, nor of the actors who portrayed them.
This isn't a case of "I can't tolerate evil characters". I just can't tolerate evil characters who are simply caricatures of evil characters! They aren't Gordon Gecko or Alex from "Clockwork Orange" or the cast of "Pulp Fiction". These are one-trick characters, whose only trick is repulsiveness, something they (admittedly and unashamedly) excel at.
And the music! I don't think I've heard a ghastlier soundtrack on a major motion picture in my entire life. Whomever did the score doesn't understand anything about cues or setting mood or anything that goes into making a good film score. It's a cacophony of ill-timed, poorly mixed, angry themes. This score suits this film like iron nails on a chalkboard suits a memorial service.
About the only redeeming feature of this film are the period set design and costume pieces. There's also a terrific sequence involving an oil derrick fire. It does give the sense of the time period. But this is such a small part of the film, it's not enough to redeem it.
Looking back on this entire, miserable experience that is "There Will Be Blood", I can only say, with all seriousness, that everyone associated with this terrible motion picture, including those who rave about how terrific it is, needs to take a serious look at their own lives. If anyone I knew actually said "this is a good movie", I would instantly recommend counseling for what must obviously be severe depression. I could not even fathom reducing myself to a state so wretched that "There Will Be Blood" would be considered, by me, to be a creative endeavor! This film is a cry for serious, serious help.
I think the members of the Academy have gone completely nutters if they consider any part of "There Will Be Blood" is even vaguely worthy of an Oscar nomination. I consider it pure garbage.