The Reel Deal
There Will Be Blood(rated R) - starring Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano, and Dillon Freasier
Daniel Plainview(Lewis) is a greedy, murderous oilman, circa early 1900's. He takes in H.W. as his own infant son, when the child's father is killed in a drilling mishap. Eli Sunday(Dano) is the influential Evangelist who falls from grace, seeking his share of the oil riches.
Lewis won the Academy Award for this role, but the only reasons the Oscar went to him were the length of the film(2 1/2 hours), giving him extended screen time, and Viggo Mortensen's(Eastern Promises) open disdain for Hollywood.
The people that were especially overlooked by The Academy are Dano and young Freasier - they were outstanding in their supportive roles, and could certainly have received nominations. And I would rate this film better than 'No Country for Old Men,' because it was coherent and consistent, from start to finish - not ridiculously incredulous as was the last twenty minutes of No Country.
Lewis' acting, though very good, was not like a milkshake("I drink your milkshake!"), but more like a chocolate schmaltz!
Daniel Plainview(Lewis) is a greedy, murderous oilman, circa early 1900's. He takes in H.W. as his own infant son, when the child's father is killed in a drilling mishap. Eli Sunday(Dano) is the influential Evangelist who falls from grace, seeking his share of the oil riches.
Lewis won the Academy Award for this role, but the only reasons the Oscar went to him were the length of the film(2 1/2 hours), giving him extended screen time, and Viggo Mortensen's(Eastern Promises) open disdain for Hollywood.
The people that were especially overlooked by The Academy are Dano and young Freasier - they were outstanding in their supportive roles, and could certainly have received nominations. And I would rate this film better than 'No Country for Old Men,' because it was coherent and consistent, from start to finish - not ridiculously incredulous as was the last twenty minutes of No Country.
Lewis' acting, though very good, was not like a milkshake("I drink your milkshake!"), but more like a chocolate schmaltz!
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