Unspooled There Will Be Blood
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Jul 20, 2023 The hosts discuss the powerful performance by Daniel Day-Lewis in 'There Will Be Blood' and whether it unbalances the film. They explore the symbolism of Daniel Plainview as a capitalist vampire and the challenges faced by actors during filming. They also analyze the director's persistence in bringing their vision to life and the power struggle between capitalists and Christians in the movie.
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Performance And Filmmaker Are Co-Authors
- There Will Be Blood foregrounds Paul Thomas Anderson's craft as much as Daniel Day-Lewis's performance.
- The film's sparse structure and Johnny Greenwood's score create a monumental, deliberately uncomfortable epic.
Origin Scene Is The Character Key
- The opening pit sequence defines Plainview's identity: relentless, solitary, and self-made.
- Visual and sound choices make his labor feel elemental and morally ambiguous.
Capitalism As Horror
- Plainview functions like a capitalist vampire, extracting wealth from land and people.
- The movie frames capitalism as a horror story that drains communal life for private gain.