There will be blood (2007)

Based on the book 'Oil' by Upton Sinclair 'There Will be Blood' tells the story of a man building a large empire from Oil mining. It is a film that mesmerises and perplexes in equal quantity.

On paper this is a simple affair but the tale unfolds into the story of a man blacker than any oil the earth has. Along the way we delve into family, greed, money, and eventually sheer madness.

The main element which holds the film together is the over-whelming performance from Daniel-Day Lewis. The British actor has transformed his entire psyche and is almost unrecognisable. He has altered the way he walks, talks, and even looks. One of the films two Oscars was awarded to Lewis. He plays the films protagonist, Daniel Plainview - an oil prospector with an insatiable thirst for all things oil.

Paul Dano is young but does his best to keep up with Lewis' on screen persona. He leaves the picture with heaps of credibility and as the preacher of the oil-soaked lands exudes a confidence and certain eloquence. The physical dominance of Lewis over Dano makes for an interesting battle and the warfare becomes one of the mind as well.

The score is sparse but deeply effective when it rears its head. The varied use of percussion and psychotic strings are used to distort us further into Plainview's land.

Paul Anderson has a unique eye that has the ability to create a wide and absorbing landscape. The director can also build a story around a relatively small script. This again is credit to the actors.

Anderson is also a director who releases work sporadically and does not attempt to juggle multiple projects. This certainly enables him to focus on one film and certainly focuses him to create masterpieces.

The turn of the 20^th century is perfectly crafted and recreated with effective costume and set designs. The barrenness of the small towns are made clear and the effect of industry and subsequent growth is also replicated.

The significance of the oil industry is still present today and plays a no less dominant role in the building of fortunes and empires. With Middle East disputes still ticking away today the story is still a relevant and detailed depiction of the greed and near insanity created from the devils blood.

The film is lengthy and borders into difficult and warped territory. This is not viewing for all and many people will be left feeling perplexed and slightly drained from the experience.

Critics loved the film and so did many other people who watched it. Anderson does not create larger than life box-office sell-outs and films like this can sometimes make a loss. They do however stand the test of time and show the possibilities of great cinema.