The score was great, although in many cases it felt more like an independent entity than score for a film. Many times the music would build up this tense, foreboding atmosphere for rather regular scenes, which was a bit jarring.
It's definitely a film I'll have to see again. After thinking about it last night I agree it's better than No Country overall. And as I said previously, there aren't many flaws I can point out. But despite that, it felt like something was missing. The film is rather cold in a sense, detailing the life of a truly disturbing character. Plainview isn't the type of character one can feel sympathy for; if anything I was a bit unsettled by the flashes of me I saw in him. But despite his unlikable, cruel personality, I found him quite fascinating, and of course DDL didn't just bring him to life - he became him. I didn't even get the impression that he was acting - the performance is that convincing. There are so many films where you see the actor more than the actual character he's bringing to life, and you'll say "oh that's Denzel" or "oh that's Cruise." I'm not saying they're bad actors, or knocking them in any way. Instead I was more reminded of Nosferatu, a film where you don't necessarily see a man dressed up as a vampire - you're convinced you are actually watching a vampire on film.
In terms of themes it really struck me as one of
identity. In African American history there is the notion of the mask. Before and during Reconstruction many blacks could not afford to show any type of emotion or personal feeling, instead putting on a face of content and servitude to fool their white masters/bosses. Yet behind this mask was a mix of emotions, from rage to feelings of inferiority. Plainview is an oilman first, man second. Throughout the years he builds up his own mask, hiding his contempt for people with the facade of an honest family man, the perfect image to win over his religious customers. He surrounds himself with what he calls a "family business", filled with men he cares for. Yet really, it's not a family business, nor does he care for anyone. The film details a rather extensive period of time, over which Plainview continues to wear his mask, yet slowly the real Plainview is revealed until a truly shocking climax.
Yet this theme doesn't only detail Plainview. It has just as much meaning for Eli, the "prophet" pastor who asks Plainview to mine the oil of his small town. Paul Dana's performance is amazingly subtle. As someone who has lived around religious people all my life, I can honestly say Dana's portrayal was spot on. The faint, ambitious
smile of feigned happiness and caring, the obsession for spirituality, and most importantly the hypocrisy of it all. Amazing
While the film doesn't blow you away in many scenes, it has its fair share of great scenes. The film feels rather robotic in its efficiency, thus harkoning back to my San Antonio Spurs comparison - it's not flashy or spectacular much, but it's just perfect. But perhaps what's missing is a soul, similar to the main characters portrayed in the film.
9/10
