“The Master” is the latest film from director Paul Thomas Anderson, who has some directed some great films in the past like “Magnolia”, “Punch Drunk Love” and “There Will be Blood”. Still, I had doubts about this film giving the subject matter.
The film follows World War II veteran Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), who is haunted by past memories that affects his life. One day, he would cross paths with a mysterious movement group known as “The Right”. The group is led by Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), who is known to the group as The Master and his wife Peggy (Amy Adams). Quell soon becomes involved with this group. As he continues to do deeper in the group, he begins to question the group’s purpose and his own beliefs in this gripping drama.
Going into “The Master”, I didn’t know what to expect because the subject matter didn’t appeal to me. What appealed to me was the fact it’s directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and stars very talented actors like Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. It was a good thing that I checked this film out, as I thought this was a very good film.
Most of it has to do with the great direction of Paul Thomas Anderson. He does a very good job with the way that he handles the scenes. The scenes had a very unique feel and tone to them, which is very much needed when your subject matter isn’t appealing. It keeps you glued to the screen and keeps you wondering where the story is going. The other thing that makes this very good was the acting. Anderson does a very good job making sure performances have a certain level of intensity to it. It makes the scenes feel important to overall context of the film.
Speaking of the performances, they were flat out great. Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams did a great job making their characters work and the way that they developed chemistry with each other. It made the dialogue and action work so well that it enhances Anderson’s screenplay. Each of them deserved their Oscar nominations that they received with this film, as this was one of the best acted film of 2012.
Anderson’s screenplay was also good. One of the things that I liked about this was the fact that everything was developed. He spends his time not rushing everything and carefully lays out his main character. From the main character’s troubles to his relationship to Lancaster Dodd, everything is developed in a way that makes the main character interesting. That’s what keeps you interested in the film. The other thing that this screenplay does well, it doesn’t go overboard with its rational thinking or beliefs. It doesn’t try to become one of those films that preaches something, which was a fear of mine when I first heard about this film. Instead, it focuses on its main characters and the effects on how a cause can either alter a person’s mind or not change the person at all. It made the story worth sitting through.
“The Master” is truly one of the best films that came out in 2012. With great performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams added with great direction from Paul Thomas Anderson, “The Master” should have no problem finding an audience on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Review Rating: Five Stars
0 comments
Post a Comment