... One day this movie will be called a MASTERPIECE!...

Rating: 10/10 (15 April 2008)

I entered the theater to see this movie with expectations at a minimum. Most critics I had read (Roger Ebert, etc) didn't RAVE about this film like they did "No Country..." By the time the scene where the oil well explodes and H.W. goes deaf - this movie became my favorite movie of the year - heck - of the 21st Century! - I was 100% enthralled and absorbed by the beauty of this film!
I have seen prior works by Daniel Day-Lewis, but I had never realized how brilliant of an actor he really is. the range of his emotions and commitment to the character - not to mention his body language, perfect accent, etc. - earned him the most well-deserved Oscar in recent years.
Not only is the acting spot-on (I think Paul Dano was denied a deserving Best Supporting Actor nomination) "There Will Be Blood" is also a BEAUTIFUL film to watch. the first time i saw it i didn't really notice the cinematography - but my second viewing had me gaping - jaw open! i also think this Oscar was well-deserved - even more so than the brilliant roger deakins. the use of sunlight to whiteout and corrupt the picture is beautiful to look at, and the lush color-scheme created in this film was clearly superior to the other cinematography front-runners at the academy awards this year: "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" and "No Country for Old Men." - both films using a color palate of warm yellows while incorporating the beauty of black as the main look of the films - still beautiful nonetheless!
I know other people thought the music was distracting, cliché to movies like "the Shining," but I thought otherwise. It gives the film a unique edge and makes those memorable scenes that much more memorable. (ex- the scene when Daniel grabs his son and begins running away from the gushing oil - the buildup of rhythmic percussion is inspired!)
I think that the character Day-Lewis plays is also one of the most fascinating and memorable ever features in a movie. His consuming greed and passion for oil overpowers his love for his son. It leads him to commit the most vile acts, yet he feels no remorse. From my perspective, Plainview has committed his entire life to his job. He assumedly has never married, therefore never had children. This might sound odd and creepy, but I would imagine his character has never experienced true 'intimacy' with another woman - all the way to the finale of the movie. He is a 2-dimensional driven character with a brilliant 3- dimensional portrayal.
PLEASE- i recommend this movie to anyone interested in seeing what movie magic is all about - and seeing what a film-masterpiece truly is! **********/********** stars!!!!!!!