There Will Be Another Screening

"I drink your milkshake!"

When Daniel Day-Lewis's highly successful film There Will Be Blood first came out in 2007, I didn't like it. I first thought it was boring, too lacking in action, comedy, or zombies, the normal things a teenage guy looks for in a movie. But now, almost five years after it's release, I really enjoy it.

Since the first time I saw this movie, I have studied a lot more of American history, about industry and oil, the greed of the original American business tycoons and monopoly holders. Now that I know more of the background behind There Will Be Blood, this film is a lot more interesting and a lot more meaningful.

Not only is there an interesting plot line to this film, the characters are deep and complex. Daniel Plainview is a greedy narcissist. Eli Sunday is a self-righteous, self proclaimed prophet of his own creation. H.W. is just a young one trying to fill his "father's" shoes to carry on the family business. All three of these characters clash in huge ways throughout the movie. The differences finally boil down to rifts in family, friendship, and even lead to a murder.

While the movie is a good Hollywood piece, the true story is much different. If this is a movie that you are planning on watching, or have watched, I highly suggest reading the Upton Sinclair novel Oil! which the film is based off. I also suggest doing some research about Edward L. Doheny, the real Daniel Plainview.

All in all, my opinion of There Will Be Blood since the first time I saw this film has definitely made a 180 degree spin. This is now moved up towards the top of the list, along with Fight Club, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and 13th Warrior.