Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic, There Will Be Blood, chronicles approximately 30 years in the life of oil prospector Daniel Plainview around the turn of the 20th century. It is a magnificent examination of a complex character whose motivations are often known only to him. It explores themes like greed, wealth, family, religion, and hypocrisy. The layers of this story are often as deep as the wells Plainview drills, and these themes can only be appreciated upon subsequent viewings of the film. If you are looking for a special effects blockbuster with a lot of action and shooting, then this movie probably isn’t for you. But if you are interested in characters — their relationships and motivations, then you will certainly enjoy There Will Be Blood.
The narrative structure of the film is rather loose. There is no predictable direction within the storyline, and this only serves to heighten the intrigue as one watches it. So many Hollywood films follow a certain formula and one can see the outcome from miles away — not so with this film. The characters are so well written, and the performances are so excellent, that one can never tell what will happen next. Since the basic plot centers around Daniel Plainview, we watch from the beginning as he struggles to dig and make a living on his own. Then we see him drilling with only a handful of assistants. Finally we see him as an established and successful oil man, overseeing several drills throughout the state.
But when Daniel begins drilling in a small ranching community he is met by an equally ambitious young preacher named Eli, whose greed and deceitfulness are masked behind a facade of righteousness. Their feud serves as the narrative thread running throughout the film. Eli tries to manipulate Daniel in an effort to get more money for his church and more prestige for himself. Daniel hides his anger and disdain for Eli to save face among the community, but the quiet manner in which he thwarts Eli (save for the wonderful scene in which Daniel slaps Eli around a little bit) is remarkable to watch. Each man wants what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.
No amount of words here can describe the outstanding performance of Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview. It has been said that great acting is reacting, and that’s so true of Lewis’ portrayal. He can convey so much about his character in the subtle, non-speaking moments in the film (Just look for the scene in which Daniel Planview speaks to the community in a small ceremony before drilling begins. The stare he gives Eli in that scene tells a lot about Planview’s character).
There Will Be Blood is an outstanding film that you will definitely be thinking about, even days after you watch it.
8 out of 10
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