There Will Be Blood

FOR the first 17 minutes, there is no dialogue. Just the vast expanse of the New Mexico wilderness and a man’s determination as he works his silver mine.
It is the turn of the 19th century and Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is hell bent on finding success and wealth as prospector in the early days of the trade.
In 1911, he meets the young, naive reverend Eli Sunday (Little Miss Sunshine’s Paul Dano in a strong supporting role) who tells Plainview of oil near his family ranch in Little Boston, California.
Sunday sees this as an opportunity to bring wealth to the impoverished area and spread the word of God but darker times are ahead.
In a stirring and dark Oscar-winning performance by Day-Lewis, Plainview wins the village folk over with a tidal wave of charisma, adopted son in tow to bolster his family man image.
But when the oil starts to flow, everything from his family to the safety of the workers is put on the sidelines.
The film is set over many years from 1898 to 1927 and cuts in and out at the important moments in the story.
And as time goes on, Plainview graudally descends into madness fuelled by ambition turned sour.
At 158 minutes, There Will Be Blood is a long haul and quite intense viewing matched with a hazy soundtrack by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood.
But if you want to see a rich story develop with some amazing performances, it is essential viewing.
Apparently Day-Lewis researched his role for years and you can tell.