Not your usual Michael Bay type film.

I like to think of myself as someone who is very up to date with how a movie works and someone who can appreciate a movie for something more then what Michael Bay wants us to see. A good example is There Will Be Blood which I recently saw for the first time, a movie that can be appreciated for its acting and more aesthetic value, outside of car chases and explosions. The movie addresses the oil up rise that America experienced in the early 20th century, the film focuses on the California sector of it though. The main character Daniel discovers oil in the desert and soon is headed for fortune and a head of his given field. Daniels ride to fame soon hits many speed bumps and turns him into an evil man out for blood and lusting for success. The movie closes with Daniel at his breaking point with nothing in his life but his money, which is a hollow way to live and he finally realizes it.

I enjoyed the movie tremendously and if you look past the smoke and mirrors of a typical movie and see the roots this movie is among the best. A scene that really struck me and had you with that thought in the back of your head like "is this real?" is the very end of the movie. Daniel is approached by Eli who throughout the movie has been in Daniels shadow and is a minister that sees himself as a prophet to God himself. Eli visits him and has an investment opportunity for Daniel to think about, Daniel has no problem with it except for one thing. Daniel requests that Eli admits to Daniel he isn't a prophet and God is a lie. Eli won't and then finally breaks down and does it, going back on everything he believes in. Eli and Daniel get physical and Daniels rage ends up killing Eli, the scene is over the top emotional with real fright. While watching it, you hear the music and the sheer rage in Daniels voice and the fear instilled in Eli. It was a weird way to end the movie but I think it really shows the pressure people are under while running a business and what it can do to your morals and beliefs. I recommend this movie to anyone into a western style movie with incredible acting and a sinister plot that shows the transformation of a family man into a psychotic lusting maniac.