There Will Be Blood (2007)
Raiting: 
8,1 /10
Genre: Drama
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano and Kevin J. O'Connor
Country: United States
Release date: 26 December 2007
Length: 158 minutes
"There Will Be Blood", directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and released in 2007, is a sweeping epic that explores themes of greed, obsession, and religion. The film is set at the turn of the 20th century during Southern California's oil boom and follows the rise of a ruthless oilman named Daniel Plainview, played with formidable intensity by Daniel Day-Lewis.
The story begins with Plainview toiling away in a silver mine, where he discovers a small amount of oil. This discovery sets him on a path to becoming a self-made oil tycoon. With his adopted son H.W. by his side, Plainview presents himself as a family man and a pillar of the community to gain the trust of landowners and buy their oil-rich land for pennies on the dollar. His relentless pursuit of wealth and power is marked by manipulation, betrayal, and a deep-seated misanthropy.
Plainview's quest leads him to the town of Little Boston, where he encounters Eli Sunday, a young, charismatic preacher played by Paul Dano. Eli represents another form of American ambition, using religion to build his own empire. The two men's ambitions clash as Plainview seeks to exploit the town's oil while Eli seeks to expand his religious influence. This conflict forms the central tension of the film, with both men embodying different aspects of the American Dream and its potential for corruption.
As Plainview's empire grows, so does his isolation and paranoia. His relationship with H.W. becomes strained, especially after a tragic accident at the oil rig leaves the boy deaf. Plainview's descent into madness is paralleled by the film's increasingly dark tone, culminating in a final act that is both shocking and inevitable. The film's conclusion is a stark portrayal of the corrosive effects of greed and the hollow victory that comes with achieving power at the expense of one's humanity.
"There Will Be Blood" is a masterful character study, a portrait of a man consumed by his own ambition. Anderson's direction is meticulous, capturing the harsh landscape of the oil fields and the period details with precision. The film's score, composed by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, adds a haunting layer to the narrative, underscoring the tension and psychological depth of the story. Day-Lewis's Oscar-winning performance is a tour de force, solidifying the character of Daniel Plainview as one of the most compelling and terrifying figures in modern cinema.
Top cast - There Will Be Blood (2007)
Trailer - There Will Be Blood (2007)
"There Will Be Blood", directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is a cinematic tour de force that delves into the dark heart of the American entrepreneurial spirit. Released in 2007, the film is a testament to the craft of filmmaking, boasting a riveting narrative, stunning cinematography, and a powerhouse performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as the film's antihero, Daniel Plainview. This sprawling epic is set against the backdrop of California's oil boom and masterfully captures the era's stark and dusty landscapes, which serve as a fitting canvas for the story's exploration of greed and moral decay.
Day-Lewis's portrayal of Plainview is nothing short of mesmerizing. He embodies the character with such ferocity and nuance that it's impossible to look away, even as he descends into the depths of his own ambition and ruthlessness. The performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, and it's easy to see why; Plainview is a character driven by an insatiable thirst for power and success, and Day-Lewis brings him to life with chilling precision. Paul Dano's role as Eli Sunday, the young preacher who becomes Plainview's nemesis, is equally compelling. Dano holds his own against Day-Lewis, delivering a complex portrayal of a man whose own hunger for influence is masked by religious fervor.
The direction by Anderson is meticulous and deliberate, with each frame carefully composed to tell the story as much as the actors do. The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing the tension to build slowly and the characters' arcs to unfold with a sense of inevitability. Anderson's attention to detail, from the costumes to the production design, immerses the viewer in the period, making the setting an integral part of the narrative. The score by Jonny Greenwood is another standout aspect of the film, providing an eerie and unsettling soundscape that perfectly complements the onscreen drama.
While "There Will Be Blood" is undeniably a character study of Plainview, it is also a broader commentary on the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. The film doesn't shy away from examining the darker aspects of ambition and the cost of success. It's a story that resonates on a deeply human level, as it confronts viewers with the question of what it means to achieve greatness and at what price.
In conclusion, "There Will Be Blood" is a masterful piece of cinema that remains impactful years after its release. Its themes are timeless, its storytelling is impeccable, and its performances are unforgettable. It is a film that challenges its audience, rewards its viewers with its complexity, and solidifies Paul Thomas Anderson's status as one of the most talented directors of his generation. This is a film not just to be watched but to be experienced, pondered, and appreciated for the work of art that it is.