Film Review: There Will Be Blood

 

For today’s film review I’m going to be discussing ‘There Will Be Blood’, Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 western epic. I was initially told about this film by a friend and despite their praise for the film and the acclaim it had received critically I was sceptical about watching it. I was convinced that this film would be pretentious and overly self-indulgent but regardless I decided to watch it. However, after watching the film I can wholeheartedly agree with the positive consensus for this film.

 

‘There Will Be Blood’ tells the story of Daniel Plainview (played by the legendary actor Daniel Day Lewis), an ambitious Oil Prospector who expands his operations into a small Californian town. This places Daniel at odds with Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a young preacher who condemns Daniel’s actions throughout the film. Whilst this idea is somewhat simplistic on paper, the film turns the concept into a unique and thrilling experience. The characters in the film are a joy to watch and their unpredictable actions take the narrative in unexpected and shocking directions. These paths also lead to many intense scenes, with Daniel and Eli’s confrontations keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout. Furthermore, the story also touches upon some profound themes, particularly the conflict between capitalism and religion. These ideologies are not only fitting for the film but adds a strong level of depth to the film that makes it feel culturally relevant to this day. Because of all this ‘There Will Be Blood’ provides an interesting and intelligent plot that was entertaining throughout.

 

Despite how enjoyable the story of this film is, I also believe it might not be for everyone. The film lasts for 2 hours and 38 minutes including credits and while this certainly isn’t the longest film ever made, I can see the time investment needed scaring some viewers away. Furthermore, with the heavy and often dark themes that make up the film, I can imagine a lot of people who want a lighter watch would want to avoid this. Whilst ‘There Will Be Blood’ is littered with visually intense scenes, many of its best moments are more dialogue based and take time to build up, which may deter audiences seeking a more action-based film. As a result, many audiences may find this film too heavy a watch. However, I feel there are many factors to the film that make it rise above these issues and help it secure its place as an excellent piece of modern cinema.

 

Perhaps one of the best aspects of ‘There Will Be Blood’ is its characters and the actors that portray them. I found Daniel and Eli to be extremely intriguing, with both gradually gaining more depth as the film progresses. At first Daniel seems like nothing more than a greedy businessman and whilst this is true, as the plot unfolds Daniel’s actions start to show him for the sociopath he is. The film initially displays its characters with a black and white approach to morality, yet these lines start to blur and left me as a viewer having to re-evaluate my thoughts on the two men. These two great characters are bolstered by the amazing performances of their respective actors. Daniel Day Lewis lives up to his legendary status, conveying the authority needed for such a powerful character whilst also being able to mix in the emotional distance and moments of mania needed for the more nuanced moments. Paul Dano perfectly matches this blend of seriousness and eccentricity, to the point that it feels like the two actors are trying to outcompete each other, much like their characters. As a result of this ‘There Will Be Blood’ provides the audience with two powerful and nuanced characters who are also fun to watch, which considering this is a character-driven narrative makes for a much more enjoyable film.

 

Another aspect of ‘There Will Be Blood’ that made it so impactful to me are its technical aspects. The beautiful camera work drew me into the world Anderson created. Almost every shot, from bursts of oil to a rising wave felt distinct and lingered in my mind long after watching it. Perhaps the best example of the film’s genius in this regard comes from the opening sequence. Here we see Daniel’s oil company expanding. This is all done without dialogue and feels like its own silent film. While it may seem like an unorthodox way to start a film, here it perfectly sets up the events that follow in a memorable way while also introducing us to its central themes of capitalism and religion. This combined with the other strong aspects of the film mentioned previously means that for me, ‘There Will Be Blood’ not only has a solid story but presents it as a powerful visual spectacle.

 

In conclusion, whilst this may not be a film that everyone would enjoy, I believe that ‘There Will Be Blood’ lives up to be the masterpiece many people claim it is. Its gripping narrative kept me invested throughout and was only enhanced by two fantastic performances and breath-taking cinematography. I would recommend this film to everyone, despite the scepticism I first approached it with.