There Will Be Blood – Church vs. Slate

There Will Be Blood

Starring Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano, and Dillon Freasier
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Punch Drunk Love)
Rated R for some violence
Appropriate for ages 15+
Available April 8, 2008 on Single DVD and 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD

Upon first seeing this film about a turn-of-the-century oilman fighting with the church in the theater, I didn’t know how to take it.  I have to admit that for several days, I didn’t like it.  Many aspects bugged me.  Sure, Daniel Day Lewis turns in one of the greatest performance ever seen on a big screen, but between the downer of an ending and the disonant music by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, it was a hard film to stomach.  Then, after a few days and even weeks, the film started growing on me.  There are so many facets that hit you long after the credits roll.  I had to see it again, and the second time – I found a new appreciation for it.  I found myself wanting to study it and now, after several viewings, I can truly say that I absolutely love this remarkable film.  It’s not an easy pic to watch, but it is very rewarding.  The extras on the second disc aren’t great.  There is a 1920’s silent film about oil production with Greenwood’s score playing in the background, and a couple of deleted scenes (which you can catch on the internet), but probably not enough to warrant purchasing the 2-disc set.