This is the fifth feature length film I've seen by director Paul Thomas Anderson. I chose to watch this film based on previous good ratings I've given other films by this director and to better my favorite directors by algorithm listing.
There Will Be Blood
I'd seen all of P.T. Anderson's other films up to this point. I had been hoping to see There Will Be Blood in the theater because I had huge expectations for it. The reason being is that Anderson's trend for me was that I thought each of his subsequent films was better than the last. It seemed like maybe he was going to keep on perfecting himself in my eyes. Now however the trend has ended. There Will Be Blood for me did not surpass Punch-Drunk Love (which may forever remain my P.T. Anderson favorite) or even Magnolia (also pretty darn close to perfect), but apart from those comparisons it is still an exceptionally great film.
Of course the film has a lot different about it from any of his past films. It's the first period films he's ever done, and the first adapted from another source (although apparently loosely). And although he's done other films that achieve running times of two and a half hours or more, those other films are much more of ensemble films than this one. When you put Daniel Day-Lewis in your movie you have to expect him to steal the show. And this film is really singularly about him with only the character of Eli Sunday coming anywhere close to being as important of a character. Thus because the film is really about one person than an ensemble, it feels a lot longer to me.
I can't fault anything about the film. Captivating story. Amazing sets. Fantastic acting. I guess unlike most of Anderson's other films though, I couldn't find anyone to really sympathize with. Also it was lacking a bit in some of the same kind of humor as his other films. But again, I'm comparing a bit unjustly probably. It's fantastically done for what it is.
Paul Thomas Anderson:
Total feature length films seen: 5
Previous average film score: 9
New average film score: 9
Rating: 9/10