There Will Be Blood
At the turn of the 20th century, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis, in an Oscar-winning role) becomes a tycoon when he buys the oil rights to a Texas family's ranch. Meanwhile, as the simple village becomes a boomtown, a charismatic young preacher (Paul Dano) fights his community's growing greed. Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciarán Hinds and Russell Harvard co-star in writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson's Oscar-nominated adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel Oil!
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Overpowering the excellent directing by Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Day Lewis turns in one of the finest Performances in recent memory. Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood composed the high profile score. The film is a great example of how movies can express a story like no other art medium can. 15 minutes into the movie you will hear the first dialog. Up till then it is told with nothing but moving images on the screen. And the searing style of the film still haunts me today.- MelGibsonHater
I rented this because it received several Oscar nominations (best actor, set direction, cinematography, directing, film editing, best picture, sound editing, writing). While Daniel Day-Lewis delivered a stellar performance and the cinematography was excellent, it wasn't enough to save the show. I found it to be dark and depressing and many of its characters lacked redemption value. Perhaps it was an accurate depiction of the era but I felt the movie was missing any qualities that make similar stories riveting.
- PF 992307
Daniel Day Lewis certainly deserved his Oscar for his work in this epic tale. His character goes from mysterious to intriguing to disgusting, and Lewis never misses a beat. Don't know what to think about the film overall, however. Several days after watching it, I'm still bothered by it. It's very much like how I felt after watching "Into the Wild". I got sucked into this character's life as an observer, but can't quite figure out the meaning of the experience. Maybe those are the best movies, the one's that don't "connect all the dots" for you, but leave you to construct meaning for yourself. Maybe those movies are the most true-to-life, as that seems to be the task of life itself.
- Mister C
There Will Be Blood has some wonderful acting, great direction, and beautiful cinematography. Daniel Day-Lewis does a fantastic job with a real, tortured character that is alternately enticing and terrifying. The director shied away from many of the Hollywood habits, and I believe that the lack of narration gives the film an earthy feel that makes the film feel more personal and adds another interesting angle to an intriguing story. I was thoroughly engrossed and fascinated with this film up until the ending scenes when the story came up short and left me disappointed. This film is full of deep characters, interesting confrontations, human relationships, and directorial creativity that will be a boon for the film student, but may leave many people confused and frustrated with its ending.
- PR 134682
The greatest movie of last year, by far. Just incredibly done. This is what people mean when they use the word "masterpiece".
- IS 427572
I thought Mr. PTA's Boogie Nights was brilliant, Magnolia was self-indulgent yet worth watching, and Punch Drunk Love was an interesting experiment (done better in this year's "Reign Over Me"). But now this film: the most overwrought, pretentious piece of filmmaking I've witnessed in 2007 (and the nine years before that). I despise this film with every fiber of my being. It's the cinematic equivalent of a one-man stage show by a gifted actor with absolutely nothing to say. It follows an oil baron through most of his life, as we're forced to spend 160 more minutes with this character than we'd like to. In it's most basic form, the film keeps us in the company of an obsessed man as he slowly begins losing his sanity. The main character is not a hero -- not an anti-hero -- not even a villain, but a useless man who wastes his entire lifetime on hate and greed, and in the process, wastes about 2 1/2 hours of yours. The only positive things I can say about this experience: Daniel Day Lewis is one of the truly great actors, and it shows again here. Also, the score is unbelievable (from Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood) -- it communicates doom, fear, panic, and is constantly changing and building. It's a masterpiece of sound, and I hope to see it licensed and used in a great science fiction, horror, or crime movie, which it seems perfectly suited for. But none of this can salvage what I put in the rare category called 'Dealbreakers.' This is a film that, if you gave 5 stars to, would forever color my opinion of any review you gave from that day forward. The last movie I walked out on was 'Who's the Man' (over 10 years ago), and had my sister not wanted to see Mr. Lewis in the Q&A after the show, I would have walked out on this (and in retrospect, would not have missed a thing).
- Topaz420 in CA
Daniel Day Lewis is this movie. He is the driving force behind the whole thing. I enjoyed it overall, however, the last fifteen minutes make it truly great. "Drink it up".
- Spock529
Okay, I really loved Daniel Day-Lewis in this film. He was magnificent, scary as hell. You start to wonder what kind of monster he is with the things he does. And then at the end of the film, he shows you what kind. He is the kind of monster who gets things done, the kind the early 20th century America needed. But the movie itself, I didn't see what the big deal was. His performance aside, it was a very entertaining movie, but nothing mind-blowing or trendsetting. I guess I was a victim of the hype machine. I was expecting to be blown away, the way I was with No Country for Old Men. Instead, I just thought it was a good movie with a horrible person, played awesomely by Daniel Day-Lewis.
- zyr 218383
A remarkably well made movie with a very powerful story. Why I'm giving it only two stars? Because even though I recognize its significant strengths, I found it unpleasant, dark and depressing. I have no interest in seeing it again. Daniel Day-Lewis, does a great job playing a driven, proud but misanthropic oil man during the early days of oil exploration. Paul Dano is also superb as a young charismatic preacher who is both intense and manipulative. Clearly much thought and creativity was dedicated to the music score, which is an integral and important part of the film. Although mostly very effective, frankly, at times I found that the score was too intrusive. Let me finish by saying that I could not stop from watching this movie, but, at the end I wish I didn't see it. And I say that as someone who is an admirer of several films that unflinchingly show the unseemly and gloomy side of the human condition.
- NV 400169
F'n great movie. Better than I expected and it is hard to say if No Country is better than this. Daniel Day-Lewis is an amazing actor.
- zte 371906
I love films that are vastly pregnant with scenes that could be enjoyed by the themselves. PT Anderson has always been quite proficient in this matter and that's why I like him. There's alot elements to his previous films that I'm not too fond of but There Will Be Blood had none of them. It's a parable on greed. Simple as that. How it effects different people and what results come from it. Greed is a fascinating sin to explore and the possesion of oil is the prefect vehicle for it. Brilliance all around, PT.
- MH!!
There Will be Blood is an interesting movie and will appeal to a number of movie lovers. Daniel Day-Lewis plays a gruff, plain-talking, hard-working, cynical man who starts out by trying to find silver and ends up with black gold. Daniel Plainview (played by Day-Lewis) is an American character. He has an indomitable will as we see when he drags himself from the bottom of a mine shaft in a desolate area despite a broken leg. He is smart, ruthless and say or do what is necessary to make himself richincluding using his young son as a prop to display the good nature necessary to get the land and oil rights he needs from local people. As he character unfolds, his complexity becomes apparent. He does not have a wife, no lovers, no friends and his relationship with his son is destroyed. He is not a religious man and makes a life-long enemy of a local preacher. His dislike of people, and himself, becomes apparent. The cinematography is not beautiful but captures the stark landscape of the Texas oilfields and the desolation and isolation of early towns in the American west. The halting, repressed speech of Day-Lewis is memorable. The actors depiction of the larger than life Daniel Plainview becomes is sometimes hard to watch because it seems real but also mean and far outside of normal human interaction. Day-Lewis may should get an Oscar for his accomplishment. The movie is too long at about 2.5 hours and drags in spots but it will hold the interest of most viewers. There Will be Blood is worth seeing. One of the best from 2007 if you like a film with strong character development and a gritty depiction of Americas development in our rough and tumble oil fields.
- AtTheBeach
Daniel Day-Lewis was excellent as usual, but didn't his portrayal of Daniel Plainview remind anyone of his portrayal of "Bill the Butcher in Gangs of New York"? Both characters had similar personalities. We went to see this movie with high hopes, but I agree with everyone who said it was too long, there was no particular story, nothing much happens, and everyone is a bit boring. You keep waiting for something to happen, the big finale, but when it does and the screen goes black, you're left wondering what the heck was that all about?
- Southern Belle 1
This is a great film. I enjoyed this film when I was watching it, but it wasn't until a day or two later that I realized that this was the best movie I saw last year. The ending alone is enough reason to watch this film. PT Anderson has crafted a beautiful film and Daniel Day Lewis is excellent as usual. While his character is a little over the top, he is undeniably entertaining. This was my choice for best picture and I look forward to revisiting it on dvd. Highly recommended.
- Brody
This movie was okay, definitely better than "No Country for Old Men", but as most Oscar contenders it seem like aiming a little too high for the average movie goer, if anyone from this movie should have gotten an Oscar it is Paul Dano! Worth a watch.
- Digitalbrian
Oh, yes, there will be. I'm not sure if any English teacher ever forced me to read Upton Sinclair, who wrote the novel that THERE WILL BE BLOOD is based upon, but one did make me read Frank Norris's MacTeague. This movie reminds me of that one. Every scene rings true. So much so that you find yourself, if you allow yourself, falling into the fictive dream. Or nightmare, if you prefer, since this story is almost unflinchingly bleak. That's why I give it four stars instead of five. I can't love a story this depressing, even if I admit that it's a masterpiece of modern filmmaking. The pace of the movie is slow, which I usually consider a fault, but the truth is that I was mesmerized by the performances on the screen and hardly noticed. The movie is almost single-handedly carried by Daniel Day-Lewis, but the subtle performance of Paul Dano as Eli Sunday shouldn't go unnoticed. Don't go into this one expecting sunshine and flowers.
- Firewater
A drama about an oilman from an earlier time who sees no reason to have friends or family. He also has no conscience and is particularly cold blooded in his business dealings; he can't stand to lose. His only soft spot is the young boy he's adopted as his son... or is he just using the boy as well? Guys, don't let the title fool you into thinking this is some Van Dam flick. It's really just an epic drama with the lesson that "you may be able to get along without friends for most your life, but you don't want to grow old alone".
- GS Chicago
To me, the sure sign of a great movie is one that causes people to offer wildly different reviews. Some people love it, others hate it, and still others need another viewing under their belt to make a decision. In my mind, There Will Be Blood (2007) is excellent. Daniel Day Lewis has created a character so completely self absorbed and single-mindedly greedy that you almost have to admire the lengths he will go to make buck. The great irony revealed at the end of the movie reminds me of the old gypsy curse, "Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it." Paul Dano does an excellent job as the mild-mannered yet strangely charismatic preacher... in fact, all the performances found here are excellent! The music added an air of suspense and a sense of doom and gloom to the film. Some say that the running time was a little long. Personally, the film kept my attention the entire time so I can't say that this bothered me. I loved it!! 5 stars and cup of Texas Tea!!
- Freakin Meow
Paul Thomas Anderson takes his filmmaking career to a new level with There Will Be Blood. The film functions on every level imaginable. Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano are impressive. The characters have depth and are never overplayed. Both Day Lewis and Dano give career level performances, especially Dano who is surprisingly well suited to the role of the young preacher. The cinematography is incredible. It is minimalistic in its approach but appears brilliant, lush, and complex, especially one particularly striking oil explosion. The writing and direction of PTA are at his absolute peak. The screenplay is so well developed. Instead of cramming tons of events and typical Hollywood fare the film opts to slowly develop, to revel in the intricacies of character and the depraved facets of human nature. And Johnny Greenwood's soundtrack is amazing, it's far from his Bodysong soundtrack, more classically rooted and relies less on electronic influences than is typical of Greenwood's music. The film comes together perfectly; it is one of the best character studies ever committed to film, and has a powerful and devastating conclusion. It's slow and brooding, desperate and beautiful. There are few films that fully comb the depths of the human condition and what greed and evil man is capable of without going too far. There Will be Blood is an amazing film that should not be missed.
- Dlukenelson
Daniel Day-Lewis as an underhanded oil tycoon. He makes money from others through aggression or other highly vile means. Many over-the-top scenes meant for the Academy to see. The best is the final ten minutes, which is pretty entertaining. I drink your milkshake.
- Cleve1212
It's been a long time since I've walked out of a movie theater and been so bowled over by the experience. I felt almost as I did when I was 6 and walked out of Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time. I wanted to be a part of the movie, I was elated by the experience, I was depressed it was over, I was inspired to make a movie, and I couldn't shake any of the scenes from my thoughts. Every image, piece of dialogue, note in the score seemed to bury itself inside me. I know not everyone will share this exaggerated response from watching what I think is one of the best movies I've ever seen, but I would be taken aback knowing that it had no affect on someone watching it. Anderson brings the period to life and directs the film like an opera of anguish, of unquenchable thirst and tells the story so precisely that one would have to put up a fight not to be absorbed in it. The film is a nightmarish look at tunnel vision and how narrow one's scope can get. Regardless of whatever outcome there is nothing will satisfy the desire to "get". "Get" could be salvation for sinners as with Dano's character, or money as with Lewis's character. Both are blinded to anything in their peripheral. Lewis's Plainview is a complex man not easily summed up. There is a swell of emotion inside of him and he's tormented by it, never sure of how to release it. The one thing he is sure of is "getting" and so he follows that path. Even during a key reunion scene between Plainview and his boy HW they are framed in the distance and in the foreground, a pipeline. Words really don't do justice to the film, and the only reasons for even attempting to discuss it are to hopefully encourage people to go to the theater and see it themselves. Because I was so moved by it I feel like it's my duty to write my praises. I would also like to add that the final two words of this film following a surprising turn of events have opened my eyes to what a true genius Anderson is as a filmmaker.
- Paul Logan
Immediately after watching THERE WILL BE BLOOD I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Yes, Daniel Day-Lewis was excellent as the main character. Sure the scenery was spot-on. But the overall feeling of greatness was just not there for me. For starters I do think the movie was overly long. At 2 1/2 hours it was at least 30 minutes too long considering the substance of the movie. There were plenty of scenes that could have been shortened. Secondly I was not a fan of the dramatic music throughout the movie. For me it was annoying and did not add to the "beauty" of the film. Also while the story was unique it was not gripping. Halfway through I was still wondering what the real meat of the story was supposed to be. And then once you get a feel for the real story behind the story it's suddenly the end of the movie! Maybe this was too artsy for me and I just didn't "get" it. I liked the movie but I definitely did not love it. I am glad I saw it but I will probably never watch it again.
- pgsahm
While much of the film's running time is devoted to a character study, depicting Daniel Plainview in his element, by the film's conclusion the portrait is definitively completed; Plainview's harsh psychic landscape is so fully illuminated, that there seems nothing more to be known about this man's inner world. Oil, for Plainview, is thicker than blood or water, thicker than all...except maybe an extra-thick milkshake.
- mwu 1628450
Throws greed, capitalism, vengeance, evangelism and all things wrong with man into a deep, black, oil-filled pot of avarice and excessiveness. What emerges is an expertly acted, superbly directed drama that rivals any of the great American movie classics for impact and significance - Giant, Treasure of the Sierra Madre and others come to mind. Daniel Day-Lewis knocks it out of the park with his performance, but recognition must also go to Paul Dano (the silent kid in Little Miss Sunshine) who turns in his breakout role that will most assuredly vault him to the top of Hollywood's casting sheets.
- Frank W