The Master
2012
****½
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ambyr Childers, Jesse Plemons, Rami Malek, Laura Dern, Madisen Beaty, Lena Endre
A traumatised World War 2 veteran struggles to adjust back to life. In the early 1950s, this aimless and explosive alcoholic stumbles on a cult known as the Cause, and develops an unusual codependent relationship with its charismatic leader (inspired by Scientology creator L. Ron Hubbard). Like There Will Be Blood, Paul Thomas Anderson's follow-up is majestic cinema. His long character study offers spectacular visuals, impeccable period details, stunning performances (by Phoenix, Hoffman and Adams), and a weird and wonderful Jonny Greenwood soundtrack. However, this subtle and hypnotic psychological drama is intriguing but not easy to read. The servant needs his master as much as the master needs his servant. Or is it all a story about unrequited love?
