there will be blood

a character driven film directed by paul thomas anderson and based on the 1927 novel "oil!" by upton sinclair. daniel day-lewis plays the lead "daniel plainview" and gives his usual "oscar-caliber" performance is known for giving as he only seems to act in 2 films every decade. plainview on the surface seems like a simple man trying to get rich off the oil business but when his motives are questioned by a young evangelical preacher (played by paul dano of little miss sunshine) in a small california farming town we soon see another side of him. much more than just a fierce competitor and entrepreneur he doesn't want to just be the best, he wants to see no one else succeed...ever...at all costs. the film documents his decent into madness spanning nearly 30 years from 1898-1927. it is an allegory on consumerism versus faith. it has some of the best character development since taxi driver. unfortunately i have a feeling this movie will only be remembered by some people for a specific line of dialog "i drink your milkshake! i drink it up!"