There Will Be Blood

13 January 2008 by Guinevere, 10 Comments

I went and saw There Will Be Blood last night which is based on the 1927 novel Oil! by Upton Sinclair. The story is about a two sociopaths: an up-and-coming oil tycoon at the turn of the 20th century and a priest. While that may seem juxtaposing, both characters mirror one another in their ugly struggle to gain power over each other and everyone else throughout the film. This is a very character driven and lengthy movie and it isn’t for everyone. During long stretches where not much seemed to be happening, it occurred to me that I should probably be bored, but I wasn’t. It had just the right amount of suspense to carry my interest through.

Very notable is the performance of Daniel Day-Lewis who plays the protagonist villain and the dark, eerie score which seemed to become a character of its own after the first 20 minutes of the film where no dialogue is spoken.

I liked it and was glad that I saw it, but I didn’t love it. I’d watch it again if someone rented it, but I don’t know that I’d buy the DVD. Here’s a trailer that accurately sets the inauspicious tone for the film.

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10 Responses to “There Will Be Blood”

  1. Melissa 13 January 2008 at 4:19 pm #

    I just downloaded it. Can’t wait to watch it, I keep seeing that apparently it’s one of the greatest movies ever made. The trailer doesn’t appeal to me, but we’ll see… :sur:

  2. Guinevere 13 January 2008 at 7:21 pm #

    I liked it, but greatest movie ever? No way! Nothing beats Wesley & Princess Buttercup. :angel:

  3. Allen 13 January 2008 at 8:48 pm #

    It didn’t do it for me.

  4. Christie 13 January 2008 at 11:24 pm #

    I loved it and would most definitely buy it on DVD! I just loved Daniel Day-Lewis’ acting. I felt the same with the length, at times I was watching thinking that even though nothing remarkable was happening, I didn’t seem to mind. The story and the acting is still in my mind.

  5. Guinevere 18 January 2008 at 7:39 pm #

    The more I think about it, the more I like it. It’s one of those movies. I’d buy the DVD now too. :coo:

  6. melissa 19 January 2008 at 12:59 am #

    K I just watched it… did I miss something?I think this is by far the worst movie i ever saw!! I’m so confused. :(

  7. Guinevere 19 January 2008 at 8:34 am #

    Movie tastes are subjective, what one person likes, another may hate. :)

  8. Roz LaBrutto 17 February 2008 at 6:12 pm #

    My husband and I really enjoyed the movie. We’re still trying to figure out some things. Do you think Daniel, at some point, loved his son, but once he thought his son was crosiing him, his feelings changed. I still cannot forget the horrible things he said to him. Please comment.

  9. Guinevere 17 February 2008 at 6:32 pm #

    Yeah, I really think he loved his son, maybe even the whole time, but hated himself for being so weak. That was one of the great things about his character, he wasn’t a straightforward evil man, he had both good & bad in him. Too many film characters are one dimensional, but he was complex– like people really are.


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