10 Contemporary Films That Improve Greatly With A Second Viewing

1. There Will Be Blood

Many a film critic has pontificated on the meanings and depths of Daniel Plainview€™s psychology, and the dry terror it causes in Paul Thomas Anderson€™s polarising There Will Be Blood. In all honesty, a first viewing of this painfully quiet and testing piece of cinema usually culminates in little to no connection with it. Plainview is a turd of a man, as is Eli. This is essentially the tale of two men with very similar traits, separated by the thin line between greed and faith. Anderson strands us in the baron deserts of the old West, whilst we watch the formulaic unearthing of its moral coda €“ €œobsession leads to ruin€. If, like me, you felt this way, then now is the time to share in my shame. There Will Be Blood is actually an envy inducing electrifying film. Second viewings unravel the pacing issues, and what becomes evident is that monotony is key to the film€™s underlying tension. Much has been said about Eli and Paul Church potentially being the fractured psyche of one man, but I feel a second viewing curtails that pretentious ideal to something much less conceited. There Will Be Blood could well be a film about personal ideals and the religion of industry. There is no mystery, they are just twins. Eli learns to model himself on Daniel after failing miserably. The two glasses of drink signify the emerging alcoholism of a man modeling himself after someone who is now very clearly a washed up drunk. Daniel Plainview radiates a need to spread his €˜gospel€™ of industry with all he meets, but he lacks the charm of Eli. He detests the preacher, because they both represent the needs of each other. Daniel hates people (he says this himself in one particularly outstanding sequence with long lost brother Henry), but pines for their admiration and discipleship. He wants to conquer them, to drink ALL of their milkshakes. Eli craves financial success, but lacks the business sense and ruthlessness of Daniel to achieve it. They both feel equally betrayed by Paul (one abandoned, the other suspicious of trickery). You can even look at the surnames for clues as to deeper purpose of character: Plainview and Church. One man is simple and purposeful, the other reflective of a collective drive. One focuses on self worth, whilst the other seeks guidance from above. Much can be written about this film, and from some last minute research, it seems lots have amassed online over the years. But first things first, get yourself a copy and give this modern classic a second try. Did I miss any? What films have you re-discovered over the years? Please feel free to comment below.