There Will Be Blood – what am I missing? - Blu-ray Forum

cravnsn · 11-09-2008, 11:13 PM

OK, my wife & I watched the film. Great acting all around, particularly by Daniel Day Lewis. Costuming, photography, locations…everything was good.

But, what the hell was the point of the movie? Over 2 hours, and no pay off. We watch a lot of movies, and neither of us could come up with a point. Are we missing something?

Red Hood · 11-09-2008, 11:29 PM

greed at the turn of the century in two major things that drove america, religion and industry and how to men very far apart were also the same.

I dunno

JasonR · 11-09-2008, 11:30 PM

I'll tell you what you're missing....

DRAINAGE!!!! DRAINAGE ELI!!!!

Red Hood · 11-09-2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

I'll tell you what you're missing....

DRAINAGE!!!! DRAINAGE ELI!!!!

I drink your milkshake.

Sussudio · 11-09-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cravnsn

OK, my wife & I watched the film. Great acting all around, particularly by Daniel Day Lewis. Costuming, photography, locations…everything was good.

But, what the hell was the point of the movie? Over 2 hours, and no pay off. We watch a lot of movies, and neither of us could come up with a point. Are we missing something?

everyone will have a different take on this, but my interpretation is:

(MINOR SPOILERS)
it's a very citizen kane-esque film, in that it deals with a man's rise to power and subsequent fall. by the end of the film, he owns one of the largest oil companies in the country, but he has become an alcoholic and alienated himself from everything and everyone, including his adopted son. he has achieved his fortune and now has nothing else left, denoted by the final line in the film "im finished!"

like i said, someone else might view the film differently, but that's my take.

dperrone · 11-09-2008, 11:39 PM

Same here, we watched it and I didn't think the movie was great, in fact, getting ready to throw it on ebay. Acting was great, but overall, movie wasn't my cup of tea, IMO

mrgreed202 · 11-09-2008, 11:43 PM

you see thats what makes the film good. Its point or "theme" has nothing to do with what is there, it has to do with the point of view of the person watching it. One person will always think of it differently than someone else. When a film throws out a specific viewpoint, thats all you get, that viewpoint...and thats no fun.

Jack Torrance · 11-09-2008, 11:52 PM

'tis all about faith and corruption. And how each of us is corruptable... there are numerous interpretations... the end result is ultimately the same, but there are many roads there. I've had some great and enlightning discussions with friends about this movie. More so than any movie this past few years. I've seen it several times now and each time come away with another take on the story.

I am not a fan of Paul Thomas Anderson, but I have to say this one won me over.

"DRAAAAIIIIINNNNAGE!!!!!!!"

Jack Torrance · 11-09-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dperrone

Same here, we watched it and I didn't think the movie was great, in fact, getting ready to throw it on ebay. Acting was great, but overall, movie wasn't my cup of tea, IMO

How much you asking for your copy?

My_Two_Cents · 11-09-2008, 11:57 PM

Well, it's good to see I wasn't the only one who was scratching his head at the end of this one. I watched it with my 17 y.o. son last weekend, and (naturally) he thought it sucked. I wouldn't go that far. The acting was was very good, but the story was just....sad. When it was over, I was like "that's it?" You don't typically see movies that end that way. At least I haven't. Anyway, Oscar-worthy performance by DDL, but I didn't care for the story.

ps3andlovinit · 11-10-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

I'll tell you what you're missing....

DRAINAGE!!!! DRAINAGE ELI!!!!

That made me

jadedeath · 11-10-2008, 02:49 AM

There was supposed to be a point?

Logan

assydingo · 11-10-2008, 02:58 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hXJMFW25nY

I enjoyed the movie. The pacing won't be for everyone.

Jmills · 11-10-2008, 04:17 AM

I thought it was good, but certainly not in the same breath as No country for old men. I'm glad that got best picture over this.

richard lichtenfelt · 11-10-2008, 04:35 AM

Daniel Day-Lewi's theatrical performance was the greatest I've ever seen.
That was more than enough to entertain me.
I think it wouldn't have been anything special if someone else played the part of Daniel Plainview.
It would've been like Star Wars w/o the special effects; bad acting, and a corny story.

cravnsn · 11-10-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmills

I thought it was good, but certainly not in the same breath as No country for old men. I'm glad that got best picture over this.

Agreed. Another movie that was great because of the acting, directing, script…and so on. But at the end of “No Country”, I was wholly satisfied that I had just seen a great film.

tacoreed · 11-10-2008, 12:40 PM

I agree, I like Daniel Day Lewis, and there was good acting in the movie, but overall, I felt like I had wasted 2.5 hours of my life. The best part of the miovie was the end, but it wasn't worth the wait at all.

GeneD5 · 11-10-2008, 01:06 PM

I'm on the same page with everyone else. I enjoyed watching Daniel Day Lewis immensely. I didn't, however, get the point of the whole thing. This movie is equal to no country for old men for me. Interesting...yet what's the darn point?

Pseudoblu · 11-10-2008, 01:07 PM

I can understand how some people could dislike, hate, despise this movie.. but for a movie that has such a slow or as some say non-existent build up it really delivers... Yes it's long, sure it confuses almost everyone I have spoken with but this movie is one a kind.. The acting is beyond anything I could have imagined in regards to literally keeping me glued to this exhausting portrayal of success at the hands of all that is around him. I was shocked that I liked this movie as much as I did and that is without racking my brain as to "what the hell is the point"... I didn't care as much about the point or the viewpoint of PTA as much as others.. I was just drawn in and never let go of.. as this was such a powerful performance by an acting God. Bravo DDL.

stockstar1138 · 11-10-2008, 01:17 PM

I thought it was an awesome movie.

You saw a corrupt business man and a corrupt religious leader, each one of them wanted control of the community and you watched them fight over power. Back in those days (and still today) Money = Power; Religion = Power and only one can truly have control.

What was so powerful was that you had a man who loved Christ and in the end he bent over for money and denied Gods existance for it, TWBB showed how money can make a man very corrupt in both the cases of Eli and Daniel.

11-09-2008, 11:13 PM	#1
cravnsn Banned Member since:Aug 2008	There Will Be Blood – what am I missing? OK, my wife & I watched the film. Great acting all around, particularly by Daniel Day Lewis. Costuming, photography, locations…everything was good. But, what the hell was the point of the movie? Over 2 hours, and no pay off. We watch a lot of movies, and neither of us could come up with a point. Are we missing something?

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11-09-2008, 11:29 PM	#2
Red Hood Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:33	greed at the turn of the century in two major things that drove america, religion and industry and how to men very far apart were also the same. I dunno

11-09-2008, 11:30 PM	#3
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	I'll tell you what you're missing.... DRAINAGE!!!! DRAINAGE ELI!!!!

11-09-2008, 11:39 PM	#6
dperrone Senior Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Orlando, Florida Blu-ray collection:49	Same here, we watched it and I didn't think the movie was great, in fact, getting ready to throw it on ebay. Acting was great, but overall, movie wasn't my cup of tea, IMO

11-09-2008, 11:43 PM	#7
mrgreed202 Senior Member Member since:Apr 2008 Blu-ray collection:138	you see thats what makes the film good. Its point or "theme" has nothing to do with what is there, it has to do with the point of view of the person watching it. One person will always think of it differently than someone else. When a film throws out a specific viewpoint, thats all you get, that viewpoint...and thats no fun.

11-09-2008, 11:52 PM	#8
Jack Torrance Special Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Overlook Hotel Blu-ray reviews:1	'tis all about faith and corruption. And how each of us is corruptable... there are numerous interpretations... the end result is ultimately the same, but there are many roads there. I've had some great and enlightning discussions with friends about this movie. More so than any movie this past few years. I've seen it several times now and each time come away with another take on the story. I am not a fan of Paul Thomas Anderson, but I have to say this one won me over. "DRAAAAIIIIINNNNAGE!!!!!!!"

11-09-2008, 11:57 PM	#10
My_Two_Cents Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Wherever I may roam.... Home Theater Gallery:40 4K collection:35 Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:19 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:4	Well, it's good to see I wasn't the only one who was scratching his head at the end of this one. I watched it with my 17 y.o. son last weekend, and (naturally) he thought it sucked. I wouldn't go that far. The acting was was very good, but the story was just....sad. When it was over, I was like "that's it?" You don't typically see movies that end that way. At least I haven't. Anyway, Oscar-worthy performance by DDL, but I didn't care for the story.

11-10-2008, 02:49 AM	#12
jadedeath Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007	There was supposed to be a point? Logan

11-10-2008, 02:58 AM	#13
assydingo Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Oct 2008 Blu-ray collection:483 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:3	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hXJMFW25nY I enjoyed the movie. The pacing won't be for everyone.

11-10-2008, 04:17 AM	#14
Jmills Senior Member Member since:Dec 2007 Blu-ray collection:55 Blu-ray reviews:16	I thought it was good, but certainly not in the same breath as No country for old men. I'm glad that got best picture over this.

11-10-2008, 04:35 AM	#15
richard lichtenfelt Power Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:I'm not drunk, I'm just tired cause I been up all night drinking. Blu-ray reviews:3	Daniel Day-Lewi's theatrical performance was the greatest I've ever seen. That was more than enough to entertain me. I think it wouldn't have been anything special if someone else played the part of Daniel Plainview. It would've been like Star Wars w/o the special effects; bad acting, and a corny story.

11-10-2008, 12:40 PM	#17
tacoreed Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Omaha 4K collection:103 Blu-ray collection:722	I agree, I like Daniel Day Lewis, and there was good acting in the movie, but overall, I felt like I had wasted 2.5 hours of my life. The best part of the miovie was the end, but it wasn't worth the wait at all.

11-10-2008, 01:06 PM	#18
GeneD5 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 4K collection:244 Blu-ray collection:246 Trading Score:168	I'm on the same page with everyone else. I enjoyed watching Daniel Day Lewis immensely. I didn't, however, get the point of the whole thing. This movie is equal to no country for old men for me. Interesting...yet what's the darn point?

11-10-2008, 01:07 PM	#19
Pseudoblu Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Wisconsin Blu-ray collection:55 Blu-ray reviews: 23	I can understand how some people could dislike, hate, despise this movie.. but for a movie that has such a slow or as some say non-existent build up it really delivers... Yes it's long, sure it confuses almost everyone I have spoken with but this movie is one a kind.. The acting is beyond anything I could have imagined in regards to literally keeping me glued to this exhausting portrayal of success at the hands of all that is around him. I was shocked that I liked this movie as much as I did and that is without racking my brain as to "what the hell is the point"... I didn't care as much about the point or the viewpoint of PTA as much as others.. I was just drawn in and never let go of.. as this was such a powerful performance by an acting God. Bravo DDL.

11-10-2008, 01:17 PM	#20
stockstar1138 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	I thought it was an awesome movie. You saw a corrupt business man and a corrupt religious leader, each one of them wanted control of the community and you watched them fight over power. Back in those days (and still today) Money = Power; Religion = Power and only one can truly have control. What was so powerful was that you had a man who loved Christ and in the end he bent over for money and denied Gods existance for it, TWBB showed how money can make a man very corrupt in both the cases of Eli and Daniel.

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