What to say about this film....?
To say the least, it was a letdown. It was a character study with no plot. Exactly 1/2 of a movie.
After 30 seconds of just about every scene, I could not wait for the next scene to begin, in the hopes that it would be better (more entertaining, more thought provoking, anything!) than the current scene I was being forced to sit through.
70% of the movie is close-up face shots with the camera. I understand the need to convey 'brainwashing' when Phoenix is listening to 'the Master' but as a viewer i'd like to have some idea of the setting when I'm watching. It tends to be an important part of telling a story.
At every moment of 'oh I wonder where this is going to end up,' PTA let me to a dead end. Killing the exciting parts of the story and leaving me with the drawl that was 'The Master.'
I'd say the people who will enjoy this film the most would be religious cult leaders (there may be a few hundred) and the mentally insane (they won't go to the theater).
If it wasn't for brilliant performances from Phoenix and PSH, I'd rate this film much lower.
To say the least, it was a letdown. It was a character study with no plot. Exactly 1/2 of a movie.
After 30 seconds of just about every scene, I could not wait for the next scene to begin, in the hopes that it would be better (more entertaining, more thought provoking, anything!) than the current scene I was being forced to sit through.
70% of the movie is close-up face shots with the camera. I understand the need to convey 'brainwashing' when Phoenix is listening to 'the Master' but as a viewer i'd like to have some idea of the setting when I'm watching. It tends to be an important part of telling a story.
At every moment of 'oh I wonder where this is going to end up,' PTA let me to a dead end. Killing the exciting parts of the story and leaving me with the drawl that was 'The Master.'
I'd say the people who will enjoy this film the most would be religious cult leaders (there may be a few hundred) and the mentally insane (they won't go to the theater).
If it wasn't for brilliant performances from Phoenix and PSH, I'd rate this film much lower.