5/5 stars
The Master is Paul Thomas Anderson’s sixth feature film. Supposedly taking inspiration from Scientology founder Ron L. Hubbard, Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) returns from the Second World War and is at a loss as to what to do with his life. An alcoholic, he drifts from town to town, girl to girl, until he comes across Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman). A writer, doctor, nuclear physicist and theoretical philosopher, Freddie quickly becomes his right hand man, despite the reservations of Dodd’s family. What begins as a fresh start for Freddie slowly descends into relapse, as he struggles to battle his own demons and reconcile them with the demands of Dodd’s quasi-religion ‘The Cause’, threatening not only his own safety but that of the faith he adopts.
Like Anderson’s previous films There Will Be Blood and Boogie Nights, The Master’s overriding theme is that of father-son relationships. In the Dodds Freddie finds a surrogate family, but their beliefs and motives will move audiences to question whether or not their interest in Freddie is out of genuine compassion or a more sinister desire to recruit another follower to their movement. Anderson once again shows us his talent for dialogue, with the exchanges between Freddie and Lancaster providing the film’s most compelling scenes. Complimenting this are Johnny Greenwood’s atmospheric strings-heavy score and the stunning cinematography, with the ocean providing the backdrop for both, and perhaps serving as a metaphor for Freddie’s desire to be free; to drift.
The chemistry between Phoenix and Hoffman really brings the script to life. They are entirely believable as the lost lamb and supposed saviour, masterful in their craft and undoubtedly nominees, if not winners, come awards season. There are some who will feel the film’s long runtime does not merit the ending, which is a definite departure from the harrowing conclusion of There Will Be Blood, and perhaps they will wait the whole film expecting a dramatic climax and leave disappointed at the close. This is a film that offers no definitive answers to our questions, which asks a lot of its viewers. It encourages debate about the story’s real meaning; a film that can inspire such discussion whilst in itself being so absorbing to watch is a rare thing. The Master endures, and Paul Thomas Anderson proves again his acclaimed position in cinema.
Hannah Woodhead