MikePA's Movie Review of The Master (2012)

Review: The Master
MikePA - wrote on 02/08/13

Enter The Master, P.T. Anderson's latest work of art that achieves great lengths at leaving you polarized and scratching your head. It's a movie that demands multiple viewings. I, myself, want to watch it again so I can pick up on stuff that were left down. There's the obvious elements put here on display that are admirable - the writing, the performances, the cinematography - but there's a core to this film that's difficult to find. Some people will find greatness in the film, while others will be bored out of their minds. I was engrossed from start to finish, and never once did the two-and-a-quarter hour runtime drag.

Every single sequence in the movie is crafted beautifully. From the performances to the writing, there's nothing that will force you to take your eyes off the picture. Even if you don't have a freaking clue what's going on, you'll be cemented to the screen. The characterizations are phenomenally executed. The scenes between Freddie (Juaquin Phoenix) and Lancaster (Philip Seymour Hoffman) are magnificent. Their scenes together is what makes this movie seriously watchable and occasionally pretty intense, and the bond between them that grows is very well handled as the film progresses to the final sequence. The performances are excellent, as well. Phoenix provides his character with just the right amount of pain and sadness to make you eventually feel for him emotionally, while Hoffman chews it up as the brilliant scientist/doctor/writer/everything. They rightfully deserve their Oscar nominations. Amy Adams is also damn good as Lancaster's wife.

The cinematography is amazing. Each shot is so well composed and beautifully detailed, you simply can't not be struck by it. Anderson creates a cinematic atmosphere that solidly engrosses you into the story. You want to inhabit the world these characters are in and just have a conversation with Lancaster or Freddie (God knows how that will play out).

I loved The Master, and I'm still not even 100% sure why I do. I regret skipping it while it was playing in theaters, but it deserves a high spot in my top 10 favorites of 2012. It's smart, engaging, intelligent, sometimes funny, and never boring (at least in my opinion). The performances keep you gripped to the story and the characters that these wonderful actors portray are entertaining and fascinating due to their notable flaws. Paul Thomas Anderson directs the living hell out of this thing, and I'm eagerly anticipating his next film.

3.5/4