Blu-ray disc of the week: There Will Be Blood
The Oscar-winning tale of an oil man's greed and self-destruction hits Hi-Definition, but this ain't just the Daniel Day Lewis show...
Plot
Oil tycoon Daniel Plainview (Day Lewis) begins drilling in the rich and untapped fields of Little Boston, California, rendering untold wealth. But an injury to his son, H.W and the interference of local preacher, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) sets in motion an intense, self-inflicted meltdown.
The Review
Daniel Day Lewis received a gushing oil well of acclaim for his dark portrayal of con-man Plainview - indeed Oscar recognised him as Best Actor for a second time. But such an immersing and powerful performance almost comes as standard from the Brit. He dominates the frame for nigh on three hours as his character descends into cold, brutal insanity. It's a turn almost unparalleled in recent years.
It's almost unthinkable then, that someone could share that stage. But somehow Paul Dano (Little Miss Sunshine) conjures a magnificently maniacal, star-making performance as preacher Eli Sunday, lifting There Will Be Blood from masterful monologue to outright masterpiece.
Paul Thomas Anderson's (Magnolia) script weaves the intertwined destinies of two false prophets each motivated by differing personal greed. Plainview despises the success of others, one of the few aspects of his twisted soul Anderson allows us access to. The equally unhinged Eli assigns himself the power of God to confirm his his own rising star. By the time each man accepts his folly, it is much too late, culminating in one of the most chilling final scenes in cinematic history. They're both "finished". The well has run dry.
With so few redeeming factors perspired by Eli and especially Plainview, There Will Be Blood is a dark, uncompromising and not always enjoyable watch. However, the Citizen Kane parallels go beyond the lead characters' similarities. This too is a timeless masterpiece.
A Blu-ray buy?
Most definitely. From the black dredge of the oil wells to the blazing sun battering down on the barren California landscape, the level of detail is a joy. Certainly worth the extra fiver.
Extras
Plenty to seek out here, including a neat 1920s infofilm on The Story of Petroleum. There's also a making of documentary and two fantastic deleted scenes, cut from the theatrical version. "Fishing" and "Haircut".
Related links:
Posted by Chris Smith on 2008-07-08
User Comments
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Somehow Paul Dano conjures a magnificently maniacal, star-making performance lifting There Will Be Blood from masterful monologue to outright masterpiece.
| RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|
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£16.99 |
WE LOVE
The closing scene. "Draaaaiiiiiiiiiiiinage"Paul Danon's star making turn
WE HATE
The unquenched thirst to delve inside the soul of Daniel Plainview. Let us in, damnit!Perhaps fifteen minutes too long
