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CHOMPO’s review for “There Will Be Blood”

Greetings Ladies and Gents!!

CHOMPO here with some exciting news for all the Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis fanatics out there!! I was lucky enough to be one of the 100+ attendees recently for a special screening and Q&A of “There Will Be Blood” with the Director and Star in Los Angeles.

Ushered into a small theater in Hollywood, there was an air of excitement in the crowd and once the lights went down I could finally rationalize why we were so eager to see this new opus. Paul Thomas Anderson is a filmmaker who really takes his time with each project. I mean, he’s been around since 1996 and he’s only done five films. In that same span of time Tim Burton has put out six; “Mars Attacks,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Planet of The Apes,” “Big Fish,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and “The Corpse Bride.” Want to count on one hand how many of those are actually “good?” I don’t mean to put down Burton (Edward Scissorhands was one of the films that actually inspired me to want to make movies!) but I just want to point out the difference between two artists and what they put there energy into. So when the first shot comes up in TWWB of a barren desert land in california and score swells (hypnotically provided by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood) I knew this was going to be something different. Not a word is even spoken in this film until about 15 minutes in.

The story follows Plainview (Daniel Day Lewis) a Oil entrepreneur in California during the early 1900’s. Through a chance meeting he learns about a town in the middle of the state where they have untapped oil. He wins the town over, leases most of their land and meets Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) A young boy who wants Plainview to build him a church so he can preach the word of God to the town. Plainview agrees and from there the story dives into a dark character study of greed and how far each will go to get what they want. I don’t really want to divulge much more because I went in to this film completely unknowing and unlike most previews and trailers out there I think everyone should as well.

After the credits rolled, writer/director Judd Apatow (40-year old Virgin, Knocked Up) strolled to the front of the theater and introduced Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis. They came out from the back and for the next hour and a half answered questions about the film and their overall artistic craft. Unfortunately they wouldn’t let anyone bring cameras or recording devices so I’ll have to reiterate from memory. Paul Thomas Anderson approached Daniel Day-Lewis about 4 years ago for this project. No studio wanted to finance it, bawking, “Oil” Who wants to see a movie about oil? It won’t make any money?!” Ironic since Oil is one of the main money makers in the world! Anyways, eventually they got some backing and then went off to midland Texas, USA to film the movie. They pretty much isolated themselves with this project and PT Anderson really stripped down his camera style and movement. One of the best things Anderson discussed was his writing style. Someone in the crowd asked what his process was and he said, “Well, I just start writing. It takes the fun out of the scene if I know what’s going to happen.” And right there I knew why his films capture something special for fans. When you watch a Paul Thomas Anderson film you know you’re going to be treated to the unexpected, the raw part of humanity, a world most hollywood films try and gloss over. Its truly one of the best films of the year and I didn’t know what was going to happen from one moment to the next. The music jumps between tense strings to strange sounds created from what sounded like various metal tools banging together. Daniel Day-Lewis gives a stellar performance (which will most likely give him his 4th oscar nomination.) My only problem with the movie is Paul Dano. He’s a great young actor but against Daniel Day-Lewis he falters (most of the films dramatic tension comes from their conflicting relationship.) Overall, I highly recommend it and I read this morning it was already awarded “Best Picture of the Year” by the Los Angeles Critics Association before its even been fully released. Geez, that’s pretty good publicity! Well, hope this little tidbit of info brings some joy to your Holiday Season!

I’m signing off for the night. Later!

-CHOMPO