2008 Best Picture Oscar nominee and Best Actor winner, this movie is an amazing look at an oil tycoon's ambition and greed.
There Will Be Blood is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia) and stars the highly praised Daniel Day-Lewis in the Oscar-winning role of Daniel Plainview, oil tycoon. It is loosely based on Upton Sinclair's novel Oil! (1927). The film is essentially a character study, but the supporting role of Eli Sunday (Paul Dano, superbly played) refuses to be run over and offers a vibrant (supposed) contrast in morals.
A Compelling Character
Planview is greedy and ambitious - though he hides it well. He's a conservative investor, always in seach of lucrative deals. He and his young son have come to a very small community to buy up land and drill for oil (at the unusual tip-off from someone within), but must not only convince the people of the benefits, but must somehow co-exist within their very different, very religious world.
Painting a Picture
The opening sequence sets up the environment of a risky oil rig; accidents and deaths are not unheard of, and both occur throughout the film. It is this initial shot that establishes the strenuous work, tedium and risks involved with the potentially-lucrative oil business. The scenery continues to be a luscious backdrop throughout the film, in contrast to the trials and hard times this community faces. One of the most gorgeous (though also devastating) shots in the film is the first time Plainview's group strikes oil, wreaking havoc but leaving Plainview overjoyed with success.
A Character Study
Daniel Plainview is truly an interesting character. Despite suspicions he's full of nothing more than greed and self-loathing, he has humorous moments, complaints everyone can identify with, and above all, perhaps the same desires. Most viewers will (almost strangely) want Plainview to succeed, especially as he finds himself surrounded by such an oppressive community. But despite his financial success, his personal life is a failure. He is constantly at odds with the pious town preacher, and it's interesting to see the two seemingly different characters fall plagued by similar vices.
Longevity and Worthiness
Many people vehemently argue that There Will Be Blood is going to be around for years to come--generations from now it will be a classic, a much-lauded film . That may or may not be the case (though it did not win the Academy for Best Picture, that award is hardly an indicator of which films survive best), but there is no doubt this film is easily worth anyone's time. By 20 minutes into the film, the viewer is hooked and the film is thrust forward, with hardly a second thought given towards its 158 minute runtime.
