There Will Be Blood

Paul Thomas Anderson returns to the big screen, and with him comes the epic, “There Will Be Blood.” The writer/director graces us with his presence after such gripping films as “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia,” and “Punch-Drunk Love” (which may I add, he wrote and directed all three). Anderson wrote the screenplay for “There Will Be Blood,” which is loosely based on the 1927 novel “OIL” by Upton Sinclair. This crowns yet another cinematic masterpiece for this acclaimed writer/director. Also, including the one and only Daniel Day-Lewis (Oscar winner for Gangs of New York, The Last of the Mohicans, In The Name of the Father, The Boxer) in yet another unbelievable performance ranks this film up there with the best of the year.

Daniel Day-Lewis plays Daniel Plainview, a poor prospector who at the turn of the 20th century finally strikes it rich when he and his crew find oil in Texas during the early days of the business. With his feet wet and his dreams set, Daniel sets out to find investors, as well as, other locations to begin digging for more oil. Although coming off as a respectable man, Daniel has one idea in mind… Get any land possible that might have oil underneath it so if profitable all the earnings will go directly to himself and himself only. Greed sets in as the oil begins to flow without control. However, soon Daniel realizes that the money aforementioned does not bring him the happiness he imagined, rather, it brings forth many new issues that he needs to face. As he continues to dig on newly bought land, an annoying man of the cross, Eli Sunday, played by the underrated Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine, Fast Food Nation, The Girl Next Door) continues to get on Daniel’s last nerve about the money that was promised to him, as well as, the church. Daniel, now refusing to pay causes a major conflict between the two men, altogether resulting in many different encounters, one worse than the other. Oil, greed, family, oil, religion, betrayal, and did I mention OIL, all are included in this marvelous film entitled “There Will Be Blood.”

Daniel Day-Lewis' and Paul Dano’s back and forth with one another is mesmerizing. They are so fascinating on screen when they are standing face to face with one another. I was rather enthralled throughout the entire 160-minute running time that this epic film has to offer. Daniel Day Lewis, in my opinion, is not only the front-runner for the Oscar for Best Actor, he should definitely win it. Already winning the Golden Globe’s Best Actor category, Day-Lewis gave many high praises to his counterpart in the supporting role, Paul Dano, and his unforgettable performance. Who cares if it’s long, it is worth seeing, and everyone who enjoys going to the movies will enjoy every minute of this amazing piece of work. Paul Thomas Anderson, you did it again!