The Master

This was the biggest disappointment of 2012 for me. Paul Thomas Anderson may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but his last film (five years ago now!) was the superlative There Will Be Blood and this follow up has been eagerly anticipated. However, when a film (much like this one) has had a history littered with rewrites, recasting, money problems and studio hand-wringing the end result is usually a bit of a cinematic car crash. Even with PTA’s capable hands calling the shots, this doesn’t disprove that rule. Following the end of the war, twitchy naval veteran Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) returns home to a life of drifting until he happens upon Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his clan of followers labeled “The Cause”. Then, not much happens for 2 hours. The films troubled background is up there for all to see as it doesn’t really have a clear narrative in terms of plot or story. Is it a story of friendship between Quell and Dodd? A story of manipulation of a person with mental issues? A study of cults? It never really settles on any one issue. Even the visuals can’t make up for the slow story as this is Anderson’s first film without regular cinematographer Robert Elswit. There’s little heart to this film (though that’s hardly unusual in an Anderson production), but it fails to raise the pulse either with only a few scenes moving at a pace quicker than plodding, though one is a spectacular scene of carnage when Quell smashes up a prison cell. On that front, the one saving grace of the film is a convincing performance from Phoenix. Quell comes across as genuinely damaged goods. Hoffman doesn’t have to do much apart from being bombastic and smug (hardly a stretch for him), but it’s his on screen wife played by Amy Adams that is arguably the most interesting character of all with PTA hinting at times that she’s the real string puller and that behind every strong man is an even stronger woman. Sadly this avenue is not fully investigated and would have been lot more interesting to watch than scene after scene of Dodd “experimenting” on Quell. Overall, despite the talent involved here, not many films emerge unscathed from Development Hell. Finally, you don’t need to be a genius to spot the analogy with scientology and although PTA has stated The Cause is not in any way connected with that particular branch of religion, the obvious similarities are there for all to see.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

Apparently the idea for this film had been in Anderson’s head for twelve years. Watching it you’ll feel the same amount of time is passing. Rating: 5/10.