A classic western directed by Paul Thomas Anderson ‘There Will be Blood’ is loosely based on 1927 novel ‘Oil’ written by Upton Silchar. The movie can be put in Western genre however there are no gunfight scenes involved in the movie like in most of the Western movies. Due to its cinematography, direction and lead role played and performed by Daniel Day-Lewis the movie is regarded as one of the finest movies of 2007.
Summary: Daniel Plainview(Daniel Day-Lewis) is a ruthless businessman who is looking for oil prospects in USA. He accompanies with him a young boy who is not his own son but he portrays him as his own son. Using his son he proclaims to everyone that the oilfield which he will set up will be a family enterprise to gain the sympathy of the people. During the California oil boom Daniel is approached by a man named Paul Sunday who tells him about the oil prospects in his family’s property in Little Boston, California. Daniel visits the place as a quail hunter and sets up a drilling company after acquiring the land. During this whole land acquisition process Daniel is confronted by Eli(The Preacher) the twin brother of Paul Sunday. In the turn of events a number of misfortunes take place in the oilfield including the deafening of boy H. W. during the gas leak, death of a worker and a fire incident etc. However in the end the business prosper and Daniel becomes a rich man.
Right from the very beginning there are two underlying themes in the movie:
First one being the requirement of a family as an emotional convincing point in the US society for establishing a successful business. H. W. was not Daniel’s son however he used to take him everywhere to convince people that he is a family man and will uphold the values of family like building schools, roads and Church. However he seldom kept his promise.
The second one being the impact of excessive capitalism on US society. It makes Daniel so much self-centered greedy and ruthless that he doesn’t hesitate to manipulate and use his own ‘Son’ for his own business benefits. He uses People around him and has a great hatred towards everyone. His own conversation with his brother is worth noting here:
Even in the last scene of the movie when he ‘Kills’ Eli the radio preacher and his butler asks him Daniel replies: “am finished”.
The movie goes into the origins of present form of excessive capitalism in US society and also portrays the aftereffects of it. Daniel becomes a drinker and there is no one to look after him. The present issue of global warming and environmental pollution can also be said to be originated from this time itself.
The movie is a must watch for all those who enjoy watching classic movies.
Rating: 8.5/10