Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano and Ciaran Hinds
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Hollywood which achieved fame years ago are as beloved as Paul Dano. Since his rise to recognition in the early 2000’s, Dano has become a strong icon. Whether it’s greedy oil prospectors, renowned singers or fathers of filmmakers, Dano has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Dano’s greatest strength as an actor has always been his bravery. He’s one of those rare actors which has never been afraid of taking risks in his career by taking on tricky roles. Dano’s willingness to take risks in his career by playing characters that aren’t always likeable has made him a movie-star that’s special. Shining a light in darkness, Dano has become one of the most beloved actors in the entertainment business. A beloved icon in entertainment, Dano has always been one of those actors with strong commitment toward his craft. Through his ability to portray heroes which are compelling, Dano has built a legacy which is lasting. Throughout his strong career, Dano has created several unforgettable films which are definitely worth watching without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Dano and adore all the films which he has produced in his career. However, “There Will Be Blood” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2007, Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. With the finest film of his career, Paul Thomas Anderson captured oil prospectors carrying a heavy burden to bear. Packed with fantastic production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about greed. At the centre of it all are two career-defining performances from Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano, capturing a pair of oil prospectors which endure sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “There Will be Blood” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about consequences that are caused by greed that would resonate with everyone. A mesmerizing masterpiece about greed, there are countless strong reasons why “There Will be Blood” is a film that is definitely worth watching.
Set in the 18th Century, “There Will Be Blood” tells the story of a greedy oil prospector on a journey to find his identity. Daniel Day-Lewis plays Daniel Plainview, a strong businessman with aptitude for making decisions about oil. Plainview is a powerful businessman that has greedy intentions seeking to use oil for sake of self-interests. Accompanied by his loyal son, Plainview embarks on a journey to establish a successful oil business. Using his wits, Daniel manages to con landowners into selling him property. However, Daniel’s attempts to be a successful businessman are threatened by a religious preacher. Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) is a devout religious preacher with strong beliefs against criminal activities that Daniel is doing. Sparking a tense rivalry, Daniel and Eli have an intense competition seeking control over oil in a prosperous country. Faced with a dilemma, Daniel questions whether he would be able to achieve oil in America.
Paul Thomas Anderson is fascinated with the themes of greed. Before he had made “There Will Be Blood”, Anderson had directed several films capturing greed in his career. His movie “Boogie Nights” offered an engaging glimpse at struggles faced by actors seeking success in the pornography industry. With “There Will be Blood”, however, the filmmaker created his first literary adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers endured by oil prospectors, but he succeeds extremely. Through spellbinding cinematography, Paul Thomas Anderson captures an oil prospector embarking on a journey to discover identities. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes that is as stunning as oil that prospectors visualize. Anderson effectively uses montages to convey an oil prospector seeking success in the 18th Century. For instance, montages enhance the oil negotiation scene. During this memorable scene, Daniel Plainview embarked on a journey to discover the price of precious oil in his small town. One admires montages capturing tense hardships prospectors go through. Montages are complicated techniques to use in movies. As Steven McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave did suggest clearly, montages elevated historical movies about slavery. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Thorough compelling visuals, Anderson captures the hardships that oil prospectors are facing.
Another exceptional aspect of “There Will be Blood” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Anderson has often had aptitude for designing the production for his films, and “There Will be Blood” is definitely no exception. Anderson effectively uses the set design of a church to capture oil prospectors questioning their religious identities. For instance, the set-design of the church enhances the speech of the church scene. During this profound scene, Daniel confessed his sins of abandoning his child in a church congregation organized by Eli Sunday. One appreciates the set design of the church capturing the hardships that pastors in churches are enduring. Through shooting the film in a real-life church, Anderson captures the hardships that religious preachers go through. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. Jonny Greenwood’s music gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden which oil prospectors bear. Through outstanding production-design, Paul Thomas Anderson illustrates commemorated oil prospectors experiencing hardships whose lives decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “There Will be Blood” is a classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture hardships which oil prospectors experience causing destruction. Paul Thomas Anderson’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing experiences of oil prospectors through using clever symbolism. Throughout the movie, the oil becomes a strong symbol of greed which Daniel is seeking to acquire. It is both a curse and blessing in disguise which guides Daniel to overcome adversity. For instance, symbolism of the oil enhanced the fire explosions scene. During this memorable scene, Daniel reacts with terror when his oil well is blown erupting with flames. One admires symbolism of the oil capturing hardships businessmen are facing. Through this ingenious symbolism, Anderson creates a larger-than-life character audiences can easily relate to. Symbolism is a technique which isn’t simple to use in movies. As Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” claimed, symbolism enhances crime thrillers about child abduction. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Anderson captures self-centered oil prospectors experiencing a heavy price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of his greatest performances as Daniel Plainview. Day-Lewis first achieved appreciation for portraying gang leaders in period pieces. With “There Will be Blood”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of an oil prospector seeking wealth during the 18th Century, but Day-Lewis succeeds deftly. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the determination, jealousy and resentments of an oilman on a journey to discover identity causing tension. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors working in the film industry today.
Paul Dano is phenomenal as a devout religious preacher that becomes involved in an intense rivalry with an oil prospector. While Day-Lewis gets the showier role, Dano is also excellent as a religious preacher whose emotions spiral out of control. Dano is one of those actors that has always had a knack using his powerful voice to project authority, and “There Will be Blood” is a showcase for his strong talents. Whether he is negotiating a tough business deal or seeking to abuse Eli in alleys that are terrifying, Dano uses his powerful voice to create a preacher that’s compelling. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most underrated actors working in Hollywood today.
Ultimately, “There Will be Blood” would attain appreciation of everyone for capturing greedy prospectors facing tension. Unlike most films about greed, It tackles strong themes including ambition, greed and resentments experienced by everyone. Viewers fined need to be familiar with the book to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about the consequences caused by greed that resonates with everyone. Therefore, “There Will be Blood” is one of those rare commemorated films about consequences of greed which everyone would adore.
Fans of Paul Dano will definitely enjoy “There Will be Blood” and so will movie-goers that seek thoughtful entertainment. A captivating classic, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic,
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about greedy oil prospectors engaging in criminal activities seeking success in businesses with bloody consequences that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that has earned a huge following earning worldwide recognition for his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 