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The Master (2012) - 8/10
This film is incredibly deep and is a film I'll inevitably peel layers off over repeated viewings over my lifetime. In one viewing I'm completely incapable of sussing out its deeper meaning. There is one there but its out of my grasp. As that process goes on this could easily, and likely, be much better than an 8.
Ill focus on what its obtainable. There are few finer films for actors to act. Jaiquin Pheonix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Rami Malek and Jesse Plemmons. Really talent all. Pheonix Hoffman and Adams all have the most room to move around in and they all deliver in big ways.
The film is beautifully shot. One scene i found particularly striking was a scene in a jail cell. Shot is slightly angled in just a way we cant see as much as we want and just far enough away creating this voyeuristic visual tension where we feel like we're eavesdropping all the while eagerly wanting to overhear more. The film is full of these kinds of moments where the camera is used in a way that adds a lot to the scenes.
The surface level plot is very interesting with L Ron Hubbard derivative and in that role Haffman is as compelling as it gets. The relationship between Pheonix and Haffmans characters is dynamic and compelling and think on a metaphorical level they might be the same person, but again im no where near able to really analyze it deeply at all.
Strong film. I wish i could go deeper with it but i dont think its meant to be digested in one sitting, and at the very least i wasnt able to do it.
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