Anderson, Hoffman Reteaming on Master

[CrypticOne]

What town do you live in?

I'll say this, in the middle of Nebraska.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

I'll say this, in the middle of Nebraska.

How far are you from Omaha?

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

I drove 40 minutes out of town to go see it.

 

[mclay18]

Okay, I know you guys are going to hate me for this... but for me, this is not the best picture of the year for me. It has two surefire Oscar performances, and PTA's direction and overall style is excellent. The story however, just doesn't go into detail with what "The Cause" is (aside from the broad strokes) and only hints at Amy Adams and Phillip S. Hoffmann's relationship in the film. And for an actress with third billing, you'd figure PTA would give Adams much more to do than what she actually has. Disappointing, really.

And the decision to shoot the whole film in 70mm is puzzling; aside from a few stunningly gorgeous shots, the film would've looked just as great in 35mm (PTA could've take a cue from Nolan and just saved the 70mm stock for a few select scenes). It seems pointless to shoot a modest drama in 70mm if you're not going to show off the stock off to its full advantage.

"The Master" is a mixed bag for me. It has a lot going for it, but the story keeps it from reaching greatness. But the power of Phoenix and Hoffmann's performances can't be denied... it almost makes the whole film worth it.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

What The Cause is isn't the point. We all know that it's ******** jibberjabber. It's more of what The Cause does to Freddie and how he goes with it for companionship and acceptance.

 

[CrypticOne]

How far are you from Omaha?

8 hours?! Denver's closer. Only 6 hours away.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

What The Cause is isn't the point. We all know that it's ******** jibberjabber. It's more of what The Cause does to Freddie and how he goes with it for companionship and acceptance.

This, but only to an extent.

The film's most evident message seems to be that its natural to feel compelled about something incoherent.

The way Freddie is drawn to Lancaster is the way we the audience are drawn to the film.

The scenes where Freddie watches Lancaster perform an analysis are the scenes that convey the dual reactions for both Freddie and the audience.

He experiences dozens of emotions just watching this charlatan work as do we when watching this brilliant film.

 

[Tissues]

Went last night with my friend and we were the only 2 people in the theatre.

 

[terry78]

Went last night with my friend and we were the only 2 people in the theatre.

That means it was really good.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

This, but only to an extent.

The film's most evident message seems to be that its natural to feel compelled about something incoherent.

The way Freddie is drawn to Lancaster is the way we the audience are drawn to the film.

The scenes where Freddie watches Lancaster perform an analysis are the scenes that convey the dual reactions for both Freddie and the audience.

He experiences dozens of emotions just watching this charlatan work as do we when watching this brilliant film.

Goddamn it, now I want to see it again and I have no money for it. DAMN YOU!

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

Goddamn it, now I want to see it again and I have no money for it. DAMN YOU!

My apologies.

I watched it a second time today with the aforementioned view in mind and spent the whole film watching Lancaster from Freddie's eyes (our eyes).

Simply brilliant.

 

[flickchick85]

Just got back, loved it. Need to see it again.

I agree that the details of The Cause and what they stand for is completely beside the point. It's about Freddie and why he was drawn in by it even though he never understood it either.

One surprising thing I felt the 70mm added in the smaller scenes was the shallow depth of field. The way everything could so easily slip just out of focus seemed extremely appropriate for Freddie's state of mind, lol.

That said, I will admit this didn't have the final catharsis/satisfaction of There Will Be Blood, so I can't say I love this one as much as that...yet. Like I said, I need to see it again to really soak it all in (which is typical with PTA for me).

 

[terry78]

I actually felt myself kind of tearing up in that scene when Dodd was asking Quell the questions and he started getting more and more upset. I don't even know why the **** my eyes started watering, it was just that intense, man. Crazy.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

That's the scene where I knew Joaquin would get a nomination, at least. Before the final bar scene, I remember hoping that Freddie would be alright by the end.

 

[mclay18]

What The Cause is isn't the point. We all know that it's ******** jibberjabber. It's more of what The Cause does to Freddie and how he goes with it for companionship and acceptance.

That's what I mean by broad strokes... I'd like to see more about its inner workings despite that. I do like the ambiguity in that is Dodd crazy enough to believe his own teachings, or whether it's an elaborate sham. We know Peggy believes her husband's words, but we don't get a good sense of who she is.

It's those two things that just irk me. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot in The Master that deserves attention and praise -- the actors are shoo-ins for the 2013 Oscars and PTA's direction is superb. I just don't think it's a masterpiece.

I think PT Anderson should pair up with another writer for his next project. Make sure he sounds off ideas on someone, and get the script in great shape before shooting begins.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

That's what I mean by broad strokes... I'd like to see more about its inner workings despite that. I do like the ambiguity in that is Dodd crazy enough to believe his own teachings, or whether it's an elaborate sham. We know Peggy believes her husband's words, but we don't get a good sense of who she is.

It's those two things that just irk me. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot in The Master that deserves attention and praise -- the actors are shoo-ins for the 2013 Oscars and PTA's direction is superb. I just don't think it's a masterpiece.

I think PT Anderson should pair up with another writer for his next project. Make sure he sounds off ideas on someone, and get the script in great shape before shooting begins.

I feel like you're still concentrating on things that don't matter.

Its like saying THERE WILL BE BLOOD failed to properly convey the rich history of oil in America.

Its just not about that & THE MASTER isn't about anything other than Freddie's fascination for Lancaster and his nonsense.

 

[mclay18]

Its just not about that & THE MASTER isn't about anything other than Freddie's fascination for Lancaster and his nonsense.

Of course. When the story focuses on those two men and Freddie's instability, the film comes together magnificently... but I feel the movie is uneven in between those scenes. Like Amy Adams' role and that scene with Laura Dern later in that film (which is another highlight), and her character is never seen again after that. Just disappointing in that regard.

Keep in mind this is all my opinion. You're free to agree or disagree... I'm just putting my two cents out here.

 

[Boom]

This movie....

Wow.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

Of course. When the story focuses on those two men and Freddie's instability, the film comes together magnificently... but I feel the movie is uneven in between those scenes. Like Amy Adams' role and that scene with Laura Dern later in that film (which is another highlight), and her character is never seen again after that. Just disappointing in that regard.

Keep in mind this is all my opinion. You're free to agree or disagree... I'm just putting my two cents out here.

I see what you mean in saying Adams' character seemed cryptic to you and not fully realized.

What I absorbed from her was that she was the polar opposite of Freddie. She is what happens when you go beyond fascination for Lancaster and start to literally buy into his garbage.

She was what Freddie would have essentially become had he never stuck to his guns about Lancaster being a wacko.

 

[mclay18]

She was what Freddie would have essentially become had he never stuck to his guns about Lancaster being a wacko.

True. But there should've been more scenes akin to her reading that story and uh... "servicing" her husband manually. Those were disturbing and hint at something deeper other than just brainwashing.

I still question the decision to shoot the film entirely in 65mm. The story and limited scope of the film just doesn't lend itself to that, even if the depth of field and sharpness is better. Would've been just fine with regular 35mm stock and different lenses.

 

[terry78]

^ I honestly think that scene was one we as fanboys all wanted to be in Hoffman's place.

 

[terry78]

I honestly can't see any complaints about Adams being Lois Lane, she can turn it on and off when she gets in front of the camera.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

Yeah, her in this movie has gotten rid of my disappointment over her being cast. Not that I thought she'd be a bad Lois, I just wanted someone else.

 

[3rdstone]

I honestly can't see any complaints about Adams being Lois Lane, she can turn it on and off when she gets in front of the camera.

Well, she made such an impression on me with her performance in The Fighter besides Bale, and unfortunately I haven't seen her in anything else yet (but I'm eagerly awaiting this one, seems though like we will have to wait little while more before we get it over here).

But when I heard she'll be the next Lois Lane I just went: Yeah! And I just prey to the Gods that the direction in MOS will be as good as I anticipate.

But to get back On Topic; I've understood (and of course expected) that PSH and Phoenix are great here, but that Adams perhaps have a smaller "wife-role" which might make her shine a little less. Or am I way out here?

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

Well, she made such an impression on me with her performance in The Fighter besides Bale, and unfortunately I haven't seen her in anything else yet (but I'm eagerly awaiting this one, seems though like we will have to wait little while more before we get it over here).

But when I heard she'll be the next Lois Lane I just went: Yeah! And I just prey to the Gods that the direction in MOS will be as good as I anticipate.

But to get back On Topic; I've understood (and of course expected) that PSH and Phoenix are great here, but that Adams perhaps have a smaller "wife-role" which might make her shine a little less. Or am I way out here?

Her role is important. She's Phoenix's foil. A shining example of someone who wandered off the proper path yet thinks has everything figured out.