The Master (Blu-ray)

"The Master" was my favorite film of 2012, but it's likely not to everyone's taste. The acting is amazing. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix both deliver Oscar worthy performances. Stylistically, the movie is similar to Paul Thomas Anderson's previous film, 2007's "There Will Be Blood" but is perhaps less accessible. The movie's often mesmerizing and delivers quite an emotional wallop. But it lacks a strong narrative. It feels more episodic and leaves it to the viewer to make up his or her own mind as to what its message is and what its characters are about. Phoenix completely transforms himself into Freddie Quell while Hoffman impresses with his charismatic and well rounded portrayal of the Master himself, Lancaster Dodd. Amy Adams is also very good as Dodd's wife. Watching the Blu-ray, I found the movie just as hypnotic as it was in theaters. There are several sequences in the movie which are just thrilling to watch. The combination of superb acting, writing, editing, music, and Anderson's precise direction prove endlessly fascinating. Each viewing provides a new perspective on the film's characters and meanings.The Blu-ray features a stunning transfer. The movie was largely shot in 65mm and the Blu-ray presents a film-like image with minimal grain but staggering detail, sharpness, and depth. The audio is immersive as well, presenting Jonny Greenwood's propulsive rhythmic score, the dialogue, and classic songs with great clarity.I appreciate Paul Thomas Anderson's control over his films' home video releases from the cover art & packaging down to the very simple menus. There's none of the typical promotional ads and mumbo jumbo found on this disc. The Blu-ray features a 20-minute montage of deleted scenes set to Greenwood's score, trailers and promos, behind the scenes footage, and John Huston's documentary "Let There Be Light" which inspired the movie. The disc lacks a commentary or relevant interviews with the cast & crew. I respect Anderson's decision to let the film speak for itself, but I would have welcomed a good discussion of the film. For example, there are a couple great Q&As with the director and cast up on YouTube.

The Master is a purposefully non-traditional film that most people won't like. I happened to be one of those who loved it. If you go to this film expecting a traditional, three-act narrative structure, with likeable characters and/or characters who will eventually be redeemed, then you have come to the wrong movie. This is not a Hollywood, feel-good movie about the triumph of the human spirit. Instead, The Master is a groundbreaking film that you have to watch with an open mind. Ultimately, The Master is an incisive exploration of the eternal struggle between the spirit and the flesh. As the cult leader, Phillip Seymour Hoffman represents the realm of logic and the mind, of science and rationality. He approaches life analytically and always needs to be in control of his surroundings, and the people in his life. Jouquin Phoenix, on the other hand, represents the unchecked flow of primal, animal nature. This the the central conflict in The Master...between someone who constantly needs to be in control of his life, and someone else who resists all methods of control and repression. The reason why this film alienates so many people is because of its disquieting portrayal of human nature--in the world presented in The Master, no matter where we run to, we're always presented with the startling realization that in this life, there is no escape or redemption, there is only the constant struggle for power and domination. The only thing that separates us from the animals, Paul Thomas Anderson seems to be saying, is an ultimately futile desire to find a higher force to comfort us, but what if that higher force is using us for its own purposes? I believe this question is what The Master is ultimately exploring.

to me this is PTA's masterpiece. Performances by Phoenix and Seymour Hoffman are incredible. great movie, great story telling. product arrived in good condition and shipped on time.

The Blu-ray of “The Master” only lifts its greatness with 1080p picture quality. The film itself is incredible and even ten years later, it holds up today. This Blu-ray is a must have for any fan of Paul Thomas Anderson and his work.

Lost soul Joaquin Phoenix, obviously suffering from PTSD from his WWII experience, gravitates into Philip Seymour Hoffman's orbit along with other seekers of the mystery of the universe in this moody, complex story centered around an early-1950's charismatic cult leader who is plainly modeled after Scientology's L. Ron Hubbard. Both men are drawn to each other. JP is the earthy element, PSH is more ethereal. Both actors repeatedly square off against each other like two exhausted, drunken fighters. The scene early on in which PSH 'audits' JP is perfectly choreographed. Indeed, the acting by all the players is superb. Then what lesson, if any, is Paul Thomas Anderson drawing from the rise and fall of our Hollywood cult of Scientology?

Not just for the performances but for the overarching theme of the riven American 20th century soul. The Master is abstracted into his own imaginary reality (abetted by financial success--does this sound familiar? Elon?); Quell is the bestial consumer of experience. Divided we remain, at our now global peril.

This movie is brilliant and really showcases P.T. Anderson at the top of his game. I’ve read somewhere that he said this was his ever film he’d ever directed, and it really shows. Pheonix’s character is like an embodiment of recklessness, the death drive that Freud wrote so much about and which has been such a predominant force in modern story telling. For him to fall into the snares of a Scientology-like cult, in the midst of its meteoric rise, is brilliantly symbolic. Still, PT Anderson never lets his film stray into cheesy territory. You can never expect where the characters will go next, and because if that, the film feels so alive, so responsive to chaos like a living, breathing phenomenon.