There Will Be Blood

I had to take time to think about this movie.  I had to see it a second time.  All two hours and forty-eight minutes of it.  I have to say, it is spectacular.  The scope, the scenery, the oil, the testosterone; it all comes together to show what happens when oil gets thrown into the mix. The amazing Daniel Day Lewis is the centerpiece of this movie. He completely inhabits the complicated character of Daniel Plainview, and is accompanied by his small co-star, Dillon Freasier, as his son, H.W. Plainview.  Daniel makes it plain in his first bit of dialogue exactly what he is.  He is an oilman.  That is what he is.  And that is all he will ever be.  Daniel Plainview takes his son to look for oil in Little Boston and begins his takeover of the area on the Sunday ranch.  Here he encounters Eli Sunday (Paul Dano, also playing Paul Sunday), the pastor of the area church, and so meets his arch enemy. The film is about ambition and greed. It’s about what happens when oil meets religion.  It’s about so many things that don’t lend itself to a short review.  Yes, the movie is long and yes, it may not be for everyone.  But everyone, and I truly mean this, should sit through this movie one time.  Everyone should see Daniel Day Lewis play this part.  I didn’t go see the movie a second time because of the storyline, even though it is actually interesting.  I went again to experience particular moments; in one particular scene Daniel is baptized into the church and the scene is so explosive and powerful that I was watching it through my fingers.  There is nothing like the conclusion to this movie.  Perhaps you’ve heard about it.  Daniel Plainview has no problem with drinking your milkshake.