Opening 20-minute scene without a single word
Not every movie is able to grab attention from the first minutes. Paul Thomas Anderson begins with a silent opening scene: there is no dialogue, just shots of a bearded man and assistants digging in the mines in search of black gold. There is absolutely no need for conversations, as the scenery, music and the stoic figure of a man speak for themselves. Plainview initially appears as a hard-working American whose ambitions exceed moral values. Harsh and dangerous working conditions illustrate the dedication and willingness to risk everything to achieve the goal. The mesmerizing spectacle, similar to a stand-alone silent film, lasts just under 15 minutes. And this time is enough to feel the gloomy mood of the film, which will only gain momentum further.
Jonny Greenwood – master of disturbing music
The opening scene, like the rest of the film, would not have been as impressive without the score of Jonny Greenwood – the music of the British composer is heard in many cinematographic canvases by Paul Thomas Anderson. The melody, similar to a horror soundtrack, instantly lures the audience into the story. Such an intonation fills with anxiety and makes the viewer understand that we are not facing a relaxing movie and, perhaps, we have something to be afraid of. Sometimes deceptively soothing and sometimes unsettling, Greenwood’s music is perfect for the antihero’s arrangement. In addition, the soundtrack is organically woven into the plot of the film, filling the silent moments with a new party and thus continuing to tickle the nerves of the audience.
Exciting camera work
The action of There Will Be Blood takes place mainly in the open air, because the main character communicates better with the earth than with the surrounding people. Cinematographer Robert Elsweet, who has traditionally collaborated with Anderson, uses his camera to turn desert landscapes into insanely beautiful shots. Thanks to the use of natural light, he manages to capture a strikingly realistic picture on the screen. Despite the fact that the color scheme of the film is predominantly dark, this does not prevent the cinematographer from creating a rich visual range: just look at the fiery orange flames during the explosion. Anderson and his team set the oil rig on fire and then turned on the cameras while they put out the fire. The result is one of the most spectacular scenes in cinema. It’s no surprise that Robert Elswit won an Oscar for his work.
American tragedy
As trite as it may sound, Neft explores timeless themes. If in the first half of the film we see an image of a typical American dream – a man without a penny in his pocket decides to get rich and succeeds, then in the second part this very dream is revealed from its darkest sides. No matter how much money the hero has, he will never have enough. Daniel Plainview’s arc is a cinematic analysis of man’s material rise and his deafening spiritual fall. Paul Thomas Anderson presents a scathing critique of capitalism and core American values that will be the driving force in the 20th century (the film is set at the beginning of the century). Without any embellishment, the director demonstrates how greed can destroy everything human, religion is the cause of many conflicts, and power corrupts people from various social strata – whether you are an oilman or a priest.
The Greatest Daniel Day-Lewis and the Portrait of an Anti-Hero
“There Will Be Blood” is a film that belongs entirely to Daniel Day-Lewis (this is at least evidenced by the 43 awards that the actor received for his reincarnation). A grumpy voice, a face covered in dust and crazy eyes transform the master into a frightening hero, who from the first minutes proves that without him the picture could hardly have taken place. Hypnotic Plainview is a portrait of one of the most striking anti-heroes in the history of cinema. With every minute, the character is more and more plunged into darkness and madness. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, even if the next dollar in his wallet does not bring pleasure, but only aggravates personal loneliness and anger at the whole world. Paul Thomas Anderson is a pro at researching obsessed heroes, and together with Daniel Day-Lewis, they have managed to create the best creation that embodies evil in the flesh.
Minor Heroes
Daniel Day-Lewis is undoubtedly the heart of the picture, and Plainview is the main cog in this American tragedy. However, without the secondary characters, the story would not have been so impressive, and the greedy oilman would not have been revealed from all sides. The one who deserves the most praise is none other than Paul Dano, who played two opposing characters in the film at once – Paul and Eli Sunday. The actor doesn’t just exist as an opening act for Day-Lewis, he delivers one of the best and, sadly, underrated performances in film. To some extent, Dano, embodying two characters on the screen, overshadows himself. Most memorable is his performance as a preacher who can both exorcise the devil and slap the hero of Day-Lewis in the face. Curiously, Paul Dano was originally supposed to play the small role of Eli’s brother. But after the filming began, the director decided to replace the actor chosen for the role of Eli and offer it to Dano. The brothers turned into twins, and the artist had only four days left to prepare for filming.
Unforgettable finale
“There Will Be Blood” is a large-scale epic 158 minutes long. By the end of the running time, the oilman has achieved everything he aspired to: an exorbitant fortune, a huge mansion and limitless influence. Just like the opening sequence, the final scene leaves a lasting impression. The talentedly filmed and staged fragment resembles a theatrical performance. And, despite the fact that the title of the film (in the original quote from the Bible: There Will Be Blood) gave the audience appropriate hints, no one expected such a climax and a surge of violence. Paul Thomas Anderson managed to make an enchanting finale, which remains in the memory for a long time.
