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I would like to begin by saying this film is probably a hit or miss; you either love it or you don't. When Oscar nominations came in and both There Will Be Blood and No Country for Old Men received 8 nominations each, people began analyzing each film side by side. While There Will Be Blood failed to win the "Best Picture" award, it did take home "Best Cinematography" and "Best Actor."
After one viewing of each film, I would definitely have to say I was able to connect with There Will Be Blood more than No Country for Old Men. There Will Be Blood is the story of an oilman in California during the turn of the century. I am a big fan of Paul Thomas Anderson's work, mostly because of his camera techniques and his way of telling a story. His films usually begin with several minutes of no dialogue as he tells his story visually. There Will Be Blood is no exception and in the first 15-20 minutes, Daniel Planview's character is introduced in an extraordinary way.
It's safe to say Anderson adores many of the great American filmmakers; Scorsese, Altman, Kubrick. Each of his films have obvious influences of these great filmmakers and There Will Be Blood is one of them. The sense of space, social alienation, and overall structure of the film itself is a homage to Kubrick's films (The Shining, 2001).
Throughout the film, Plainview's character becomes almost haunting as he gives Henry Planview one of the most important speeches in a film. "I can't keep doing this one my own... with these, people." His laugh at the end of his speech is as frightening as the ending of this film.
When Daniel Plainview comes across Eli Sunday, a charismatic preacher, the film intertwines religion into its theme. I could go into greater detail about the films overall theme/tone and how it connects with the world today. What I will say is those who did not completely enjoy this film need to watch it again... and again. PTA knew exactly what he was doing and more. Every moment of film captured through the lens of the camera was done for a reason. An oilman who becomes rich from oil ends up tearing down a preacher in his own mansion and ultimately murders him. Oil simply means blood. Oil is the start of a war, not only in our world, but in our minds. When the oil industry ends up shattering Plainview (he loses his son, in several ways) and ultimately has him battling emotionally and physically with Eli. It is as if Satan himself was taunting a good-hearted citizen, convincing him of evil-doing, pushing him over the edge.
In a pool of blood, sitting beside a preacher he has just murdered, Daniel Plainview -- with his back against us -- turns to say, "I'm finished." The complex and brutal world of oil, and its affect on a successful yet ruthless oilman, is simplified with two words as the film ends.
I would much rather do a complete analyzation of this film but I will have to do that on my own. I just wanted to share this because I know Anonymouse gave it a 2/5 several months ago.
After one viewing of each film, I would definitely have to say I was able to connect with There Will Be Blood more than No Country for Old Men. There Will Be Blood is the story of an oilman in California during the turn of the century. I am a big fan of Paul Thomas Anderson's work, mostly because of his camera techniques and his way of telling a story. His films usually begin with several minutes of no dialogue as he tells his story visually. There Will Be Blood is no exception and in the first 15-20 minutes, Daniel Planview's character is introduced in an extraordinary way.
It's safe to say Anderson adores many of the great American filmmakers; Scorsese, Altman, Kubrick. Each of his films have obvious influences of these great filmmakers and There Will Be Blood is one of them. The sense of space, social alienation, and overall structure of the film itself is a homage to Kubrick's films (The Shining, 2001).
Throughout the film, Plainview's character becomes almost haunting as he gives Henry Planview one of the most important speeches in a film. "I can't keep doing this one my own... with these, people." His laugh at the end of his speech is as frightening as the ending of this film.
When Daniel Plainview comes across Eli Sunday, a charismatic preacher, the film intertwines religion into its theme. I could go into greater detail about the films overall theme/tone and how it connects with the world today. What I will say is those who did not completely enjoy this film need to watch it again... and again. PTA knew exactly what he was doing and more. Every moment of film captured through the lens of the camera was done for a reason. An oilman who becomes rich from oil ends up tearing down a preacher in his own mansion and ultimately murders him. Oil simply means blood. Oil is the start of a war, not only in our world, but in our minds. When the oil industry ends up shattering Plainview (he loses his son, in several ways) and ultimately has him battling emotionally and physically with Eli. It is as if Satan himself was taunting a good-hearted citizen, convincing him of evil-doing, pushing him over the edge.
In a pool of blood, sitting beside a preacher he has just murdered, Daniel Plainview -- with his back against us -- turns to say, "I'm finished." The complex and brutal world of oil, and its affect on a successful yet ruthless oilman, is simplified with two words as the film ends.
I would much rather do a complete analyzation of this film but I will have to do that on my own. I just wanted to share this because I know Anonymouse gave it a 2/5 several months ago.