Rating of
4/4
I drink your milkshake! Masterpiece
Terry - wrote on 09/19/16
3 time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis pulls of another outstanding performance and picked up his second Oscar for Best Actor. The film also won the Oscar for Best Cinematography. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards altogether, including Best Picture and Best Director
Daniel Plainview is an ambitious, competitive owner of an oil drilling company in the early 1900’s. What starts off as an early discovery of oil from a drill culminates into a massive and successful oil business. Daniel has only his own interests at heart and has no regard for manipulation and using others, including his son, to get what he wants. In addition, he doesn’t want anyone else to succeed.
After receiving a tip from Paul, Paul Dano, about a large amount of oil situated beneath a plot of land, Daniel sets out with his son H.W in search of it. Under the guise of a camping trip with his son, Daniel lies to the owners of the plot and once he finds the oil he initiates his plan to buy the land, promising prosperity and growth to the surrounding community.
Along the way he meets Eli, Paul’s twin brother, also played by Paul Dano, who he despises from the onset. Eli, the local pastor, preaches his own take on religion and is adamant on making a blessing at the opening function of the drill. The same way Daniel has his own interests at heart, somehow he notices that Eli does as well and purposely ignores Eli’s request, embarrassing him and from here a hatred for one another grows.
Despite many tragedies along the way, including EW losing his hearing and a drill burning down, Daniel is not superstitious and doesn’t need any blessing especially from someone who he dislikes and carries on his venture of greed.
Though the movie is about oil and greed, the deeper themes of family and religion are clearly visible and provide the many layers of the story as throughout Daniels schemes, greed and oil business, he slowly drives everyone close to him, family or not, away yet does this hurt him? Is his greed and envy of people preventing feelings of love and empathy which he may very well possess? These are just a few of the many questions which arise.
The acting is exceptional from all actors with Day-Lewis and Dano making an excellent combination. The characters are emotional and with broad personalities and their portrayals are solid, immersing us in the character development which is such a fundamental aspect of the film.
Was the perfect director for the film with his ability to present to viewers the emotions and evolution of the characters as his films always do and the setting and feel of the movie draws us right into the 1900’s America making you to really notice the modern times we live in once the movie is over and leaves you thinking about it for a long time afterwards.
It’s not only a wonderfully made movie, it is one of the best of recent times and must be seen if you haven’t already.
