Writer/Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams
‘A Masterful Achievement’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved the appreciation of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Since his rise to recognition during the 1990’s, Hoffman appeared to be an actor with a bright future in the industry. Whether it be masterful political leaders, tornado wranglers or famous music producers, Hoffman portrayed several strong characters. Hoffman’s strength as an actor was always his strong commitment. He was one of those rare actors that poured his heart and soul into every single role. However, in 2014 Hoffman’s short-lived career came to a sudden closure when he died of a tragic drug overdose disaster. Hoffman’s heartbreaking passing left the world mourning. The death of an actor which people around the world had often admired left the entertainment industry emotionally devastated. In the wake of his dad passing, Hoffman left behind a lasting legacy by making several movies which are definitely worth watching. Throughout his strong career, Hoffman made several unforgettable movies which are worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Hoffman and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Master” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release back in 2012, Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie has stood a test of time as an iconic classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best period pieces ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who embodies a powerful religious leader. Ultimately, what makes “The Master” an incredible masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies about religious cults, it discusses universal themes that everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about religion cults, there are countless strong reasons why “The Master” is a great film that is absolutely worth seeing.
Set during World War II, “The Master” tells the story of an aimless drifter that embarks upon a journey to find identity. Joaquin Phoenix plays Freddie Quell, an alcoholic veteran whose life lacks a clear purpose. Freddie spends most of his days drinking without any clear purpose for living. Addicted to alcohol, sex and pleasures, he has little if any interest in pursuing a career. However, Freddie’s life forever changes when he joins a religious cult with a powerful leader. Guided by powerful political leader Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), the Cause is a powerful religious cult which follows unique traditions. Discovering a powerful cult with an ability to give his life direction, Freddie seeks happiness. As he discovers shocking secrets about the Cause, Freddie questions whether it is possible for him to find direction in a life that faces disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Freddie questions if it’s possible to be a member of a cult causing trauma.
Paul Thomas Anderson is fascinated with the stories of controversial associations. A great American filmmaker, Anderson has often made movies about provocative subject matter. His iconic film “Boogie Nights” captured an adult movie star seeking success in the competitive porn industry. With “The Master”, however, the filmmaker made his first psychological thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt capturing the tension of a religious cult that experiences disaster, but he succeeded immensely. Using gorgeous cinematography, Anderson captures an aimless drifter joining a religious cult which causes controversy. Anderson effectively uses montages capturing a man joining a religious cult which cause catastrophe. For instance, the montages enhance the recording scene. During this memorable scene, Freddie takes part in an intense recording session of a cult. One admires montages capturing the bonds between the members of a cult. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” claimed, montages elevate commemorated movies about world-famous rock singers. However, it works in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Anderson captures an aimless veteran whose purposeless life lacks meaning.
Another admirable aspect of “The Master” is the production-design. From a technical point of view, the movie is well made. Anderson has had had an aptitude for designing costumes in his movies, and his strength is clearly evident in “The Master”. Anderson effectively employs costume design to capture the struggle faced by war veterans facing a decline. For instance, the costumes enhance the cult scene. During this unforgettable scene, Freddie is introduced for the first time to the cult of the Cause. One appreciates costumes capturing hardship that members of cults are facing. Moreover, music is magnificent. Johnny Greenwood’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere which captures the heavy burden that members of cults bear. Through strong production-design, Anderson captures the lives of war veterans facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Master” is a classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and successfully utilizes symbolism to capture the hardships members of cults are facing. Anderson’s strength as a screenwriter is his ability to capture religious cults through symbolism. Throughout the film, Anderson successfully employs symbolism to capture the impact of a religious cult upon an aimless drifter. Throughout the film, Anderson uses the symbolism of the Cause to showcase Freddie’s desires to change himself. Initially, Freddie that’s unwilling to change his habits of alcohol addiction. However, once he joins the Cause, Freddie learns how to control impulses that are destructive. For instance, symbolism elevates the interview scene. During this bold scene, Freddie is interviewed using a series of intimidating questions by Lancaster Dodd. One admires symbolism capturing hardships which members go through. Symbolism is a complex technique that isn’t easy to use in movies. As “Magnolia” suggested, symbolism enhances dramas about grieving families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, Anderson captures the lives of religious cults that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Phillip Seymour Hoffman delivers one of his greatest performances as Lancaster Dodd. Hoffman achieved appreciation for playing world-famous authors in English literature. With “The Master”, however, he took upon his most authoritative role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a cult leader with strong positions of authority, but Hoffman succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Hoffman is one of those actors that has always had an aptitude for conveying emotions by delivering monologues, and his strengths are evident in “The Master”. With mesmerizing expressions, he demonstrates the bravery, desperation and resentment of a commemorated cult leader. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
Joaquin Phoenix is fantastic as an alcoholic veteran that seeks greater meaning joining a religious cult. While Hoffman gets the showier role, Phoenix is also great as a drifter whose life spirals out of control. Phoenix has a flair creating compelling characters through the approach of method acting, and his strengths are evident in “The Master”. Whether he is lustily staring at a girl in a religious meeting or arguing with Dodd about his cult ideologies, Phoenix effectively uses his body language to create a character that’s compelling. It’s a role that gave the commemorated actor a chance to showcase his strong commitment to his craft. It’s a superb performance from one of the most beloved actors in the industry today.
The final standout in the cast that deserves recognition is Amy Adams. As a manipulative leader of a religious cult, she brings menace to the movie.
Finally, everyone will appreciate “The Master” for capturing religious cults that face disaster. Unlike most movies about religious cults, the film tackles themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including alcoholism, identity and marriages which would resonate with everyone. It delivers a strong message on mental health which would resonate amongst everyone. Therefore, “The Master” is one of those rare movies about religious cults that everyone would adore.
Fans of Phillip Seymour Hoffman will admire “The Master” and so will movie-goers that seek thought-provoking entertainment. An awe-inspiring classic, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
A captivating portrait of self-destructive alcoholic men facing frightening obstacles joining religious cults with consequences that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to create larger-than-life characters which were compelling whose engaging movies are definitely worth celebrating several years after his heartbreaking passing left the world mourning.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 