Rating of
3.5/4
The Master review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/01/13
A provocative, well acted/directed drama that is believable in all aspects of film-making, which isn't for everybody. "Maybe this isn't your only life?" A lines from one of the leads in the end which almost capsulizes the picture's premise. The director is just a load of talent, not only in directing but bringing out the best in his artists. Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), an alcoholic sex crazed former World War 2 soldier who becomes a photographer, meets Lancaster (Philip Seymour Hoffman) in a ship going to New York. Peggy (Amy Adams) gets married and gets to know Freddie, who manages to make a unique drink. John More is a skeptic of Lancaster and is dealt with by the loyal temperamental Freddie.
The screenplay is one of the best of the year, even for the writer/director himself. So many quotable lines like: "But above all, I am a man, a hopelessly inquisitive man, just like you. " "Birth, excitement, growth, decay." "Man is not an animal...You are not ruled by your emotions." "Laughing is good." - Lancaster "The Master" Dodd. One of the most intense scenes were the testing Freddie as a subject for Lancaster's "processing," The Cause and the prison flare-up. Which in effect, shows that the brilliant acting of Hoffman and Phoenix are suffice to watch this. But there is more to this soon to be cult classic, its the overall subliminal messages which Anderson, much like a Cronenberg, Malick or Lynch, is so adept with.
Themes of having a cult (The Cause and its followers), having direction, calmness/logic/positivity (Dodd), free spirited/inner demons/obsessiveness (Quell) and direction. The score plays a huge part in making the movie more interesting. As mentioned, the performances all around was believable and cinematography gorgeous. Pace was sufficient and story was realistic. Paul Thomas Anderson should not worry whether the Oscar's snob his film, he should continue his thought process of creating quality, intelligent and entertaining films. The film is flawless in all directions. One of the best of the year which may become a cult classic on its own, regardless of box office numbers or awards.
