I finally watched There Will Be Blood. After the first hour passed, I thought, "Why were so many of my friends disappointed? This is GREAT!" And then the next hour passed, and I thought, "Okay, it's starting to flounder a bit, but I'll keep heart and maybe he will rein it in during the 3rd act."
And then..... Well, honestly, it was like watching a brilliant mind deteriorate. I felt like I was actually watching a friend I love go mad towards the end of his life. I'm not talking about Plainview's deterioration, mind. I'm personifying the movie. I really do think it had a brilliant start. I was completely riveted, and then I was completely let down.
And that final scene? Some of the worst overacting I've seen from a truly gifted actor in a long time. As for Dano's performance, I wasn't keen on it for most of the picture, so was less disappointed when he too floundered in the last 15 minutes.
Ah, well. I still have Magnolia and Punch Drunk Love to turn to.
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