Straight from the opening shot, a lingering view of Joaquin Phoenix’s character Freddie Quell, you have the feeling this film is going to be special. It might be because it was the first movie shot on 65mm film since 1996, but at the start of the film I was blown away by what I was seeing. Beautifully framed shots and a perfect recreation of a time period around the second world war. There is a moment in a photo studio where you’d swear you are seeing archival footage or pictures of that times brought to life through some digital trickery. Those first couple of minutes had me hooked and I was prepared to join Freddie Quell, a struggling alcoholic, on his journey. It’s a shame then that at the end of the 144 minute running time I was lost.
The movie is about the struggle of two very different men. One is Freddie, the other one Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who is the leader of a cult known as The Cause. This cult has all types of processes to make people join them and sort of brainwash them. Processes which are, as far as I’ve heard, very similar to what scientology does (for example answering question while you are not allowed to blink or you’ll have to start over). Although Freddie and Lancaster are completely different they gravitate to each other as they both see things in each other they themselves seem to be lacking. Because of it the two start an odd friendship and as a viewer you witness its development.
The movie is a constant battle of egos, but which I never found satisfying to watch. The performances of both Phoenix and Hoffman are stunning as they show they are acting powerhouses. The movie is about their personalities and the friction it causes, but never was I truly invested, constantly waiting for something bigger to happen, which never took place. I can perfectly understand people will love this film as there are a lot of things to like about it. Personally though it just didn’t manage to keep me entertained, or should I say hooked and if a movie doesn’t manage to do that I can’t give it a higher score.
I was lost as well. I almost felt like something happened and I missed it, or maybe I’m not smart enough to understand the movie. I did enjoy each actor’s individual performance, but when you put the performances together it didn’t mesh for me. Nice review!
I wasn’t really lost, but the message of the movie didn’t just appeal to me much. Thanks!
About 30 minutes into the film, we’re presented with the first Freddie Quell processing scene. It’s mesmerizing – one the best scenes of the year. Unfortunately most of The Master is nowhere near that riveting. The narrative was dramatically inert. What a shame. I agree with your score.
I loved the scene in the store where he’s placing the lights close to the customer. The processing scenes are intense as well, but unfortunately it didn’t lead up to anything for me. Seems you feel similar.
It seems like I liked it a little more that you but I certainly don’t think it’s a great film. I never connected with what PTA was trying to do and by the end I needed more. Many love it though.
Yeah, I can understand people loving it, it just wasn’t for me!
Sorry to here this didn’t work for you Nostra. Personally I loved it. It was the film of the year for me. I can’t praise it enough. It did have it’s faults but it really make an impact on me. Every scene was a work of art and the whole film carried a certain intensity.
I agree that it was a work of art and it’s very well made, I just couldn’t connect to it as you did.
I’m with Mark. This was the best film of 2012 for me by a margin and it’s already become a favorite of mine. I think multiple viewings of the movie will help. Nice review.
I heard more people talking about having to watch it multiple times, if that’s needed I know it won’t work for me. It has to hook me during the first viewing….
This is awesome movie!
I can understand why people enjoy it and think it’s awesome, personally I feel different though…
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I just figure out how to send a comment.
P.P.S.
Good review! I like it!
Thanks!
Sorry you couldn’t connect to The Master, I was hooked. At least we agree on performances of both Phoenix and Hoffman are stunning. I don’t know if there is any deeper meaning, I think the film is showing the man in power and his influence over those near him.
Yeah, it is not for everyone. We can definitely agree on the performances!
Good review Nostra. Not Anderson’s best, but his most ambitious and that definitely accounts for something.
Thanks Dan. Ican appreciate that ambition, but it didn’t make for something I enjoyed.
I completely agree with your review. This was a hard one to sit through, because the plot didn’t lead to anything brilliant. It’s really only worth watching for the performances…they were all incredible.
Happy to hear I’m not the only one feeling like that.
I didn’t love the movie, but I gave it 7,5/10 – I thought everything worked but one, crucial element – the story. The characters were expertly played by the actors and the direction was great, but I don’t think Anderson is nearly as good of a writer as he is a director. It just seemed pointless to me, so I can certainly understand why you didn’t enjoy the movie.
The story is the most important thing to me, but I can understand your score.
Ahhh, bummer to hear you didn’t enjoy this one, Nostra. I can definitely see how it wouldn’t work for everyone though. Glad you were able to appreciate the powerhouse performances at least. I was happy that all three main actors received Oscar nods — all well deserved.
Yeah, there are things I really appreciated, but in the end it’s all about entertainment value to me.
Right after I saw this I felt very conflicted about whether it was any good or not. It’s clearly gorgeous (best cinematography of the year to me), and the acting is incredible, but I wasn’t completely convinced. But as the months go on, it’s one that sticks with me and grows and I find myself liking it quite a bit now. I did nearly the same thing with There Will Be Blood as well. I definitely prefer the older PT Anderson movies, but I’m first in line anytime he’s releasing something.
Personally I generally don’t change my opinion about what I’ve watched, even after rewatching it a couple of months later, but I can understand some people growing to love something. I’ve had that happen with tons of songs in the past.