There Will Be Praise

Rating: 10/10 (26 November 2012)

Set in the 18-1900's of oil crazy America, this Paul Thomas Anderson thriller brings old Hollywood back to the modern day in an unforgettable fashion. The film stars Daniel Day Lewis as a money grabbing oil baron named Daniel Plainview, who wants one thing and one thing only...money, who clashes fascinatingly with the preaching third revelation fanatic Eli, who is played by Paul Dano and brings some interesting and effective acting techniques to the film which gives the film its own style.
There will be blood truly is a remarkable piece of cinema which will leave any fan of quality cinema crying with joy. Lewis offers a compelling and ruthless performance which makes him such an unpredictable and intriguing character, he portrays the old fashioned, well spoken slime-ball you would expect an oil baron to be superbly, and matches the conventions without making them predictable and cheesy. He talks as if he is better than everyone which is expressed in his voice clearly. He has no concern for any human being and will do anything to make money, his performance truly deserved and Oscar and when seen is one of the most memorable and iconic every portrayed in a motion picture.
Eli is another interesting but for some strange reason unlikeable character in the film. He is constantly trying to triumph over Plainview and gets under his skin multiple times throughout the movie. Even though we should not like the character of Plainview, we still want to because of his dark humour and his deceivingly charming persona, which makes Eli look weedy and minuscule in comparison, he is portrayed throughout the film as a constant niggle for Plainview which makes us dislike him even though he is, in a manner of speaking, a better person.
The Film itself has a linear structure but this at no point becomes a problem, the film is directed to flow smoothly and easily which makes it easy to watch and also links in with the performances so that they do not stray from the story. The cinematography and mise en scene contained within the There Will Be Blood is stunning and frustratingly captivating, you don't get any rest, there is constant beauty portrayed within the movie which brings me to the statement, Paul Thomas Anderson has created a truly brilliant and unforgettable motion picture which is unmatchable within its genre.
10/10