It's been 4 years since Joaquin Phoenix has appeared in a feature film, this was due in part to his faux-breakdown where he renounced acting to pursue a career in hip-hop. We all know now this was part of his mockumentary 'I'm Still Here'. So with such a big gap how does he do in Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Master'? It's the best performance easily.
'The Master' is more than the just a teacher-student story. It’s about a man finding himself, understanding what makes him tick. Struggling to re-adjust to civilian life following the end of World War II, Freddie Quell (Phoenix) is a troubled naval veteran who develops a serious drinking problem. In search of a greater purpose, he drunkenly stumbles upon on a boat and is taken in by its crew. Intrigued by his behaviour, and demeanour, Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) makes Quell his personal project.
It's hard to pick a point to start talking about this film, I really wish I had seen it with a friend because there was just so much to talk about after, so when you're heading along to see it do bring a friend it will have you talking for the rest of the night. So I'll start by talking about the acting, Phoenix is just mesmerizing as Quell there is really no other way to put it. It's like nothing I have ever seen. He portrays this damaged, damaged man so beautifully. Quell seems like less of a man and more of an animal, caged and confused and biting the hand that feeds. I would be fairly shocked if he doesn't get the Oscar next year. Hoffman is also something to write home about, playing the charismatic cult leader Dodd, Hoffman could nearly turn you to his sect just by watching this movie, he just nails it. There is a feel of Scientology to his little sect, so I did find myself viewing Dodd as a kinda L Ron Hubbard figure, which adds so much to it.
Anderson has really crafted something special here, if not, at times, a bit odd. But I can't stop thinking about it, some outbursts had me wondering alright but if anything they seemed to drag me in more and more. I think this film isn't for everyone, but if you have been a fan of Anderson this is a must see!
'The Master' is more than the just a teacher-student story. It’s about a man finding himself, understanding what makes him tick. Struggling to re-adjust to civilian life following the end of World War II, Freddie Quell (Phoenix) is a troubled naval veteran who develops a serious drinking problem. In search of a greater purpose, he drunkenly stumbles upon on a boat and is taken in by its crew. Intrigued by his behaviour, and demeanour, Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) makes Quell his personal project.
It's hard to pick a point to start talking about this film, I really wish I had seen it with a friend because there was just so much to talk about after, so when you're heading along to see it do bring a friend it will have you talking for the rest of the night. So I'll start by talking about the acting, Phoenix is just mesmerizing as Quell there is really no other way to put it. It's like nothing I have ever seen. He portrays this damaged, damaged man so beautifully. Quell seems like less of a man and more of an animal, caged and confused and biting the hand that feeds. I would be fairly shocked if he doesn't get the Oscar next year. Hoffman is also something to write home about, playing the charismatic cult leader Dodd, Hoffman could nearly turn you to his sect just by watching this movie, he just nails it. There is a feel of Scientology to his little sect, so I did find myself viewing Dodd as a kinda L Ron Hubbard figure, which adds so much to it.
Anderson has really crafted something special here, if not, at times, a bit odd. But I can't stop thinking about it, some outbursts had me wondering alright but if anything they seemed to drag me in more and more. I think this film isn't for everyone, but if you have been a fan of Anderson this is a must see!
