The Master (2012)
US 143m, Colour
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson; Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern
Capturing the look and feel of the 1940s and 50s, The Master is a beautifully filmed drama about Freddie Quell, a deeply troubled WWII veteran who is befriended by Lancaster Dodd, the leader of a cult movement known as “The Cause”. Inspired by L. Ron Hubbard’s Church of Scientology, Dodd’s movement becomes a focus of Freddie’s life and perhaps his salvation. Despite his subjection to The Master’s torturous “processing” techniques, Freddie becomes devoted to both the movement and to Dodd, which further fuels his violent and antisocial behaviour in this exploration of their mutually destructive relationship (Klaus Ming March 2014).
Interesting, since it was portrayed as a big slam on Scientology, but I didn’t think it really was.
I thought Phoenix really overdid it — I kept wanting to yell “Okay, he’s messed up, we get it!” — but everything else was really good. Hoffman was magnificent.
I don’t really know enough about Scientology to make an in-depth comparison, but if Hoffman’s character was anything like Hubbard, I can see why.
Interesting movie all the same.
Though it didn’t get as much love as it deserved, I still think it’s a great piece that only PT Anderson could deliver and come out at least slightly successful with. Good review Klaus.
I think it comes down to the fact that the film contained generally unlikeable characters, and most audiences look for a hero, or at least someone who they can tolerate. Case in point is: https://klausming.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/august-osage-county-2013/