“The Master” was filled with brilliant performances from three impeccable actors and a superb screenplay that will be a contender during this year’s film season. (Poster property of The Weinstein Company and Annapurna Pictures)
By: Jacob Elyachar
The Master is one of the most intriguing and polarizing movies that moviegoers will see this year.
This period piece focuses on Freddie Quell, a former World War II officer (Joaquin Phoenix) who drifts from job-to-job before crossing paths with a controversial religious leader, Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), who takes him under his wing and molds him to become a leader within his organization despite objections from his family.
The Master features brilliant performances and an amazing screenplay that will make it a contender during the award season.
Acting master classes
One of the successes of the Master was its ensemble. Joaquin Phoenix perfectly portrays the misguided and schizophrenic Quell through some of the movie’s most intense psychological scenes including first sessions with Dodd and showing off his character’s darkest attributes: his temper and alcoholism that were showcased throughout the film.
Another important performance in this film was Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal of Lancaster Dodd, the wily religious leader. Hoffman perfectly showcased the character’s charismatic personality when he leads his group in a song that leads his female followers naked and while he leads discussions about his research and beliefs at different members houses. In addition both Hoffman and Phoenix’s “teacher-student” relationship impeccable and keeps movie viewers interested throughout the film.
Last but certainly not least, Amy Adams delivers a superb performance as Peggy Dodd, Lancaster’s powerful wife. Adams’ movements, facial expressions and deliverance of lines will not only enchant audiences but also perfectly portrays a powerful first lady of religion. Movie watchers will also enjoy watching the uncanny chemistry between Adams and Hoffman while seeing the antagonistic relationship between Quell and Peggy Dodd unfold throughout the film.
A superb screenplay
The Master’s screenplay was extremely well written and will either fascinate or bore audiences depending on how moviegoers handle thinking-based films. The reason that this reviewer liked Paul Thomas Anderson’s brilliant screenplay was that despite being filled with psychological manipulations, profane-laced arguments and lustful desires, The Master really made you think and pay attention to all of the details that surrounded each of these characters’ prerogatives and it moves them forwards or backwards depending on their goals.
Final thoughts and Grade: The Master is a true delight to watch because it is a film type that we rarely see in theatres anymore which is a film makes audiences think. Phoenix, Hoffman and Adams’ impressive portrayals will be rewarded with some nominations in the upcoming months and audiences might want to catch it now before the 2013 Golden Globes. A
