Rated: R

Working autonomously against competitors, they are lured into searching for a prospective land rumored to be drenched in black gold. Daniel, who sees its vast potential, makes a deal with an eccentric god-fearing man, Paul (Dano), whose exploitative aspirations for self-glory emulates his.

With tension arising from the overwhelming presence of religion, a series of calamities occur during the construction of the wells. With one devastating accident driving father and son apart by the one thing they shared the most, Daniel becomes as ruthless and unpredictable as the oil bursts from the derricks. And, oh yes, there will be blood.

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis (Academy Award® Winner for Best Actor), Paul Dano, Dillon Freasier, Ciarán Hinds, Kevin J. O’Connor

DVD Features:

• 15 Minutes ~ Pictures, Research, Etc.
• Trailers
• Fishing Sequence
• Haircut/Interrupted Hymn
• Dailies Gone Wild

• The Story of Petroleum (ca. 1923) ~ A black-and-white silent film chronicling the oil business in the 1920s. Running Time: 26 min. Music by Jonny Greenwood.

Critique:

Paramount Vintage and Miramax Films present a magnificent American tale, where greed consumes, power corrupts, and, eventually, family disintegrates. There Will Be Blood is visually enchanting with its deep-space and deep-focus cinematography by Academy Award® Winner Robert Elswit, ASC. Smooth crane shots and overhead shots of the rustic landscape illustrate the perilous, but remotely beautiful environment in which the story unfolds. The pictorial elements of each scene are so well composed that each frame would make momentous photographs.

Many scenes will delight the eye as fire flickers, blood splatters, and oil glistens in both daytime and night. The string instruments of the musical score are so menacing at times that it speeds the heart rate, and induces tension and anxiety at moments where you anticipate the worst will happen.

Only the two-disc collector’s edition DVD includes extra features, while the single-disc does not. However, you will not be missing much because the special features are mostly dull. Unless you would really like to understand the oil business, you might bypass them altogether. The 15 Minutes feature is sort of interesting if you care to see how they recreated a historical period based on the information the film crew gets from reference material and archival still images. It would have been more interesting if it included commentary from both the actors and film crew on their experiences in making the film.

Final Analysis:

For film enthusiasts, this is a superb study of cinematography and acting, especially from Daniel Day-Lewis. If you enjoy historical era flicks with plenty of explosive and surprising violence, this should entice you, but don’t expect a Hollywood-ized ending. The film’s mood is dark overall, and might not appeal to someone looking for an uplifting movie.

This Reviewer's Rating: 4 / 5

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."