By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Ambyr Childers | Amy Adams | Joaquin Phoenix | Laura Dern | Lena Endre | Philip Seymour Hoffman
Country: united_states
Year: 2012
Running time: 137
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1650453/
Bruce says: “Much has been said about THE MASTER being a thinly disguised biopic of L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology. Hubbard may have been the inspiration for the film but THE MASTER is about cultism in general. I saw traces of Warner Erhard’s est training and Landmark’s Forum (Landmark purchased Erhard’s templates). New York had its own local cult headed by Frederick von Miers who sold gemstones to the rich and famous for the purpose of harnessing positive energies and deflecting the harmful. Dodd’s modus operandi is more similar to von Miers.
“Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has quite a racket going. He convinces the wealthy to give him money and, in turn, he parses out life’s little secrets. His son Val claims he makes it all up as he goes along. Socialite Helen Sullivan (Laura Dern) calls Dodd’s bluff when she discovers he has subtly switched a word in one of his axioms, thus changing the meaning of his teaching. At a fancy party in New York John More (Christopher Evan Welch), one of the partygoers challenges Dodd admirably. These three minor characters offer more insight into THE MASTER than one can glean from any other source.
“But the film centers on the relationship between Dodd and Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) and we, as viewers, get much less from their interaction than we deserve. They meet when Quell jumps on board a yacht where Dodd is partying with and pontificating to his followers. For unknown reasons, most likely that Dodd sees something of himself in Freddie, Dodd is attracted to Freddie and does his best to bring him into the fold. Freddie is a drunk and psychotic. Dodd begins the relationship as Freddie’s drinking buddy. Dodd has a natural, avuncular style that is seductive. Later, however, Dodd tries to indoctrinate Freddie through a line questioning that more resembles a page from the Spanish Inquisition than a chapter form a self-help manual. Freddie has met Jekyll and Hyde. Peggy Dodd (Amy Adams) supports her husband blindly, at least that is the impression one gets at first. As time passes it is clear she more resembles a closet matriarch than a submissive spouse.
“Anderson is absolutely Bergmanesque in his close-ups of Freddie and Dodd. They are breathtaking. His camera floats through the party scenes and an early scene in a department store is nothing short of sensational as the culture of the times is articulated while the story is moving forward. Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant as the charismatic cult leader with a very short fuse. He charms one moment and rages, the next. Joaquin Phoenix is also wonderfully sympathetic as a shattered army veteran who cannot be brought under control. As wonderful as the many moments are in this film, the whole is not on par with its parts. That is a shame for THE MASTER could have been The Great American Film instead of a very good one. 4 cats”
Michael says: “Like Bruce said in his review, THE MASTER is not a great movie, but I have decided after 24 hours that it is a very good movie. It’s a testament to director Paul Thomas Anderson that his latest film is one that requires some thought and reflection before I could make a determination on whether or not I liked it, or how much. Anderson’s career has been a joy to follow, from ambitious and daring, if flawed, early films like HARD EIGHT and BOOGIE NIGHTS to his audacious epic MAGNOLIA, and his near perfect mini-marvel, PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE, to his glorious and whacky period piece, THERE WILL BE BLOOD. With THE MASTER, he continues in the vein of his last film, but takes a slightly more introspective angle, exploring the perplexing relationship between a war-damaged alcoholic young man, and the slick leader of a quasi-religious pseudo-cult, The Cause. Anderson balances a stunningly shot film (in glorious 70mm), some incredible acting, a powerful score, and an intriguing plot with confidence and master-y. What is thrilling, especially in recent, American-indie films, is his lack of clear explanations, forcing viewers to ponder and reflect on what they have just witnessed.
“In addition to Anderson’s refreshingly oblique story, and daring direction, some of the acting really elevates THE MASTER to what should be a great film. Philip Seymour Hoffman makes his bigger-than-life, offbeat, charismatic character seem effortless. When he suddenly starts crooning ‘Slow boat to China’ to his young protegee, my jaw dropped, impressed by the paradoxical irrationality and naturalness of the act. Also stunning was Amy Adams, playing against type as the cool, tough-as-nails matriarch of The Cause, doting wife to Hoffman one moment, and driving force of his success in the next. If that’s not a pair of nominations, I don’t know what is. Terrific smaller roles are found in Laura Dern and the little-seen Lena Endra (nominated for a Chlotrudis Award in 2001 for the Swedish film FAITHLESS – but probably more recognizable in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and its sequels).
“But what you’ve no doubt noticed is the fact that I haven’t mentioned the film’s star, Joaquim Phoenix. It’s hard for a film to be great when the lead actor is as self-conscious and aware of his acting as Phoenix’s. As the quirky, physically and emotionally damaged Freddie Quell, he’s a collection of physical ticks, facial expressions and outbursts, but I have rarely noticed a performance that tried so hard. I was always conscious of his acting, and that made a difficult character even harder to travel with. It’s possible that Phoenix’s ‘real-life’ antics of past years have colored my ability to lose him in a character, especially one so quirky, but he just didn’t work for me. One thing I will give him was his effective portrayal of an alcoholic… he never ‘played drunk,’ which I did appreciate.
“Finally, I think Anderson’s ending could have been stronger. His choice to end the film where he did is understandable, and fits with the story, but lacked the power the film deserved. Again, THE MASTER is a very good movie, and I think I even want to watch it again, but after all the hype, I was really hoping for something great. 4 cats”
Thom says: “While Anderson started off very poorly in my estimate with the wretchedly moralistic BOOGIE NIGHTS I did love MAGNOLIA as well as the outstanding THERE WILL BE BLOOD & with this brilliant cast I expected the film to be near the summit of all the films I would see. While I agree with much of the criticism levied against this film by Chlotrudis members the movie’s script about a mock L. Ron Hubbard (the founder of the much-aligned Scientology cult) and his persistence in trying to convert a lonely, psychotic, alcoholic war veteran, the acting certainly was out-of-this-world. The best was the ever-surprising Phoenix who at last count had rivetingly lost his mind in the supposed documentary I’M STILL HERE. That he has been able to completely reinvent himself is a marvel. But finally all the great acting comes to naught when trying to explain the disparity of the two characters and why Hoffman’s character would waste so much time on Phoenix’ empty figure. Period details were outstanding and Anderson’s clever way of setting up scenes remains marvelous. Amy Adams gives another fabulous portrayal as Hoffman’s wife. 4 cats”