Tony kidnapped me right from school and took me to an early showing of There Will be Blood at Cinema 21. How they got the exclusive first run I don't know, but it's good to see an art-house theater get such good material.
There isn't much I can say about the movie without it being a spoiler. It is intense, it is masterfully crafted on every level, and Daniel Day Lewis is bone crushingly virtuosic in his performance. The movie is not for a light night out, but then Paul Thomas Anderson's movies never are.
You can go into the metaphors it creates, or focus on the use of "music" (oftentimes just intense sound when the director felt like it) or lack of it, the feel of realism throughout the movie, or of course the performances (not a weak one in the bunch) -- but any way you stack it, the movie rocks. And to belabor the point, Daniel Day Lewis is phenomenal. So much of this movie centers around silent close-ups of his bent-nosed, sweaty face -- just hanging the audience there, and letting him show us exactly what we need to see for the movie to keep moving. Just fantastic.
In the end, you will be exhausted -- exhausted by spending so much intimate time with characters you would rather not share a drink with. And, you probably won't go back and see it next week either. It takes some time to digest and assimilate. But, despite the bitter flavor, I believe this will be one of the most iconic pictures of the last few years for it's multiple perfections, its depth, and its epic scope.
The movie's dam long, by the way, so be prepared. Pack in supplies and hit the loo before hand.
I give it a solid A, A+ for fans of the director and/or D.D. Lewis who are more likely to forgive its length.
I am finished,
Bp
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5 comments:
We're waiting for this one to come to Walla Walla. I expect we will have to wait a while 'The Jazz Singer' (the Al jolson one) just closed last week. We were so excited that the talkies had come to town. 'Citizen Kane' is playing now, and 'Gone with the Wind opens Friday.
At this rate we'll be up to 'Cool Hand Luke' in a month or so, and, if we are lucky, be able to see 'The life of Biran' by Easter (although it may be a little to coastal for WW (furriners, you know).
Enjoy your long waits for first-run movies.
Stu that just cracks me up.
BP. Have you seen "In the name of the father" it's one of my all time favorite movies. I can't even think about it without tearing up. That is how good it is. D.D. Lewis. that is all that needs to be said. I've been waiting to see this one for a night that I can deal with it because I know it is going to be a dooozy. Thanks for writing about it. I'll send it to Jerry who also wants to see it.
ctheg,
I had a Dorothy moment when we waited for 'No Country for Old Men' to open here in the hinterlands. "Toto, I don't think we're in metro Seattle any more!"
I can see you out there having that moment Stu - too funny!
I hope to meet you someday.
I read almost all of your comments.
of course I have to have a dictionary and my husband with me to go on those adventures but it is always eye opening.
I agree with CtG, you cracked me up with these sir -- on a roll today.
Must be the mental illness resultant from dealing with "island time" out there in Walla Wallaland.
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