An absolutely fascinating tale of character study, drawing one in hypnotically and mesmerizing you from the dialogue-less opening scenes to the last blow that happens in a bowling alley. To tell you more would give away too much, but let's just say that the relationship between Eli Sunday and Daniel Plainview is (in my opinion) one of the best drawn relationships in recent movie history, a spellbinding tale of good versus evil meticulously played out by Daniel Day-Lewis (Plainview) and Paul Dano (Sunday).
Dano plays brothers (Eli and Paul Sunday), but originally was only cast to play Paul, who only has one scene. I don't know what happened to the other actor who was supposed to play Eli, but Dano was only given a few days to prep for playing Eli. Keep that in mind if you haven't seen this movie yet.
The plot takes twists and turns that are drawn in a very subtle manner, including the realization by Eli of his relationship with his brother Paul. Other folks have made comparisons of this movie to Citizen Kane. Having seen both, I can see why. Can you make any comparisons of where Plainview may have found any Rosebud?
We do get glimpses into Plainview's heart, small but there if you're willing to look. Especially keep that in mind as you watch his relationship with Mary, the only woman with whom he has any relationship in the movie, and it's not a sexual relationship. He'll kill a man, but should anyone dare abuse a young child for not praying, and Plainview steps up to protect. It almost makes you forgive him for how he treated H.W.
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I am reading Oil!, the book the movie is based on. The previews make it seem like the story focuses heavily on Arnold Ross (who Daniel Day-Lewis plays), while the book (at least so far) takes things from the perspective of his son, nicknamed “Bunny.” Sounds like character names have been changed too. Should make for an interesting comparison.
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