Loosely based on Upton Sinclair's 1927 novel, Oil!, Paul Thomas Anderson's film follows main character Daniel Plainview in the early 20th century California gold rush. Plainview, portrayed onscreen by Daniel Day Lewis, is a silver trader-turned oil man who quickly sees the earning potential of the commodity and will let no one stand in his way - especially Christian revivalist preacher Paul Sunday (an excellent Paul Dano.)
The film is minimalistic, with a score so sparse that its acting performances and cinematography actually work harder to capture our attention.
Anderson's visual metaphors are stimulating. To Daniel, the burning oil derrick represents production and potential, while to Eli, it is Biblical destruction. Eli ushers out the evil spirit during a church service; with a looming Plainview just inside the doorway.
I thought I was watching closely - as evidenced by my jittery nerves every time Daniel whipped out dynamite - but some of the crucial detail was a bit lost. There are some elements of the story that one might not fully comprehend at first viewing - our diet of popular films has perhaps spoiled us as audience members. Watch closely.
Previous to watching the film, I'd read that the story does not end neatly and that patrons had better not expect to be uplifted. This is true of the film. It is incredibly violent, but necessary. It is historical and human. Plainview's character - so buoyed by his own will and no higher will - would live with no boundaries and excessive wealth.
And when the final credits begin to scroll, our jaws are on the floor.
(Image courtesy of Klubbkoll.se.)
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