Why It's Awesome: Paul Thomas Anderson's masterful drama is a fantastically-wrought depiction of post-war sentiment in America, as Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) spreads the word of The Cause, a Scientology-like religion which war veteran Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) soon becomes caught up in. Beautifully shot and featuring three marvelous performances (Amy Adams was also brilliant, and also nominated for an Oscar), it might not quite live up to Anderson's There Will Be Blood, but it's a wholly engrossing character piece nevertheless. Why You Can Only Watch It Once: Though brilliant, The Master is also an incredibly exhausting film, which with its slow-moving, even meandering approach feels considerably longer than its 139-minute run-time. Furthermore, the lack of a clear through-line or arc is likely to prove bizarre even to those who enjoy the film, and it doesn't exactly make one eager to give it another go. It's a great film, though not exactly a very entertaining one.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
