Movie Review: The Master

The latest masterpiece from director Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights), The Master is an enthralling and enigmatic piece of film, featuring some of the greatest performances of the year. Returning from Navy service in World War II, Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) drifts through a series of PTSD-driven breakdowns, trying to find his stride in several small jobs until having a violent breakdown in the middle of a department store. Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), after returning from the Second World War, having witnessed many horrors, is a very charismatic intellectual who creates a faith-based organization in an attempt to provide meaning to his life. He becomes known as "The Master". Freddie becomes his right-hand man, but soon begins to question both the belief system and The Master as the organization grows and gains a fervent following. There really is no other way to summarize this film, as it truly has to be seen in order to be understood (so to speak). 

The first I will speak of this film are the incredible, virtuosic performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Phoenix, making his acting return since his "set back" in the acting world a few years ago, makes an amazing turn as Dodd's right-hand man. Phoenix is at the height of his career in this role, changing himself both physically and mentally to deal with the intense source material. Playing a mentally deranged drifter, he plays very well off of Hoffman as Dodd, and takes in each bit of Anderson's source material. He is likely to get an Oscar nomination in the (very crowded) Best Actor category. Philip Seymour Hoffman, the title character, is also at the height of his career, which is saying a lot considering his other Oscar-winning roles. He is incredible as Lancaster Dodd, playing a role just as intense as Phoenix. Hoffman is a true performer, and is by far one of the greatest actors of this generation. He is a lock for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, and is currently in the lead for the win (his main opponent is Tommy Lee Jones in Lincoln). There is a scene earlier in the film, of just Phoenix and Hoffman, where Dodd is giving Freddie an "interview." This is probably the greatest scene in the movie, and is reason enough for both of them to win Oscars. Amy Adams also does very well as the wife of Dodd, Peggy, yet oftentimes gets outshined by the two leads. She should, however, get a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Another great aspect of this movie is the direction and writing of Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson's writing is very smart, and keeps great pace throughout the entire film. His creative angle, bringing the most he can out of the talent of Hoffman and Phoenix is truly masterful. He is one of the greatest directors working today, and one of the best screenwriters. The look of the film, from the sets to the costumes, capture the post-war feel in a believable way. The score has also been another big talking point, using original and repetitive figures to create a sense of suspense and keep the intense feeling throughout the film. Overall, The Master is an incredible piece of film, at the same level of direction and performing of Anderson's last film, There Will Be Blood. It is one of the most original, confusing, yet satisfying films I have seen this year. A virtuosic motion picture if there ever was one. 

Rating: A

Possible Oscar Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director- Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Actor- Joaquin Phoenix
Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Actress in a Supporting Role- Amy Adams
Best Original Screenplay- Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Original Score
Best Cinematography