There Will Be Blood

There Will Be Blood
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Name	There Will Be Blood
Director	Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer	Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Lupi, JoAnne Sellar

There Will Be Blood is a 2007 American epic drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview, a ruthless and ambitious oil tycoon in the early 20th century. The film is loosely based on Upton Sinclair's 1927 novel Oil!, which was inspired by the Ludlow Massacre and the Teapot Dome scandal. The film also features Paul Dano as Eli Sunday, a young evangelist who becomes embroiled in a rivalry with Daniel Plainview. The film's narrative is set against the backdrop of the California Oil Boom and the Industrial Revolution in the United States, with references to the Standard Oil company and the Rockefeller family.

Plot

The film's plot follows Daniel Plainview, a prospector who discovers oil in California and becomes a wealthy and influential figure in the oil industry. As Daniel Plainview's empire grows, he must navigate the complexities of the oil business, including rivalries with other oil tycoons such as Edward Doheny and Harry Sinclair. The film also explores the tensions between Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday, a young evangelist who seeks to use his church to gain power and influence in the community. The film's narrative is influenced by the works of Frank Norris and Theodore Dreiser, and features references to the San Joaquin Valley and the Kern River Oil Field. The film's themes are also reflected in the works of John Steinbeck and Dashiell Hammett, who wrote about the Great Depression and the Labor Movement in the United States.

Production

The film was produced by Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Lupi, and JoAnne Sellar, and features a cinematography by Robert Elswit. The film's score was composed by Jonny Greenwood, a member of the rock band Radiohead, and features a mix of classical music and experimental music. The film was shot on location in California and New Mexico, and features a range of period costumes and production design inspired by the 1920s and 1930s. The film's production team also included Jack Fisk, a production designer who worked on films such as The Tree of Life and The New World, and Dylan Tichenor, a film editor who worked on films such as Boogie Nights and Magnolia.

Cast

The film features a cast of actors including Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview, Paul Dano as Eli Sunday, and Ciarán Hinds as Fletcher. The film also features Dillon Freasier as H.W. Plainview, Daniel Plainview's adopted son, and Russell Harvard as H.W. Plainview's brother. The film's cast is rounded out by Sydney McCallister as Mary Sunday, Eli Sunday's sister, and Colton Woodward as William Bandy, a rancher who becomes embroiled in the rivalry between Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday. The film's cast has been praised for their performances, with Daniel Day-Lewis winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Daniel Plainview.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many critics praising the film's direction, acting, and cinematography. The film holds a Metacritic score of 93 out of 100, based on 40 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $76 million at the box office worldwide. The film has been named as one of the best films of the 2000s by critics such as Roger Ebert and Peter Travers, and has been included on lists of the greatest films of all time by publications such as The Guardian and The New York Times. The film's success can be attributed to the works of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola, who have also explored themes of power and corruption in their films.

Themes

The film explores a range of themes, including the corrupting influence of power, the tension between capitalism and Christianity, and the destructive nature of ambition. The film's portrayal of Daniel Plainview as a ruthless and ambitious oil tycoon has been seen as a commentary on the excesses of capitalism and the exploitation of natural resources. The film's exploration of the tension between capitalism and Christianity has also been seen as a commentary on the role of religion in American society, with references to the Scopes trial and the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy. The film's themes are also reflected in the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, who wrote about the American Dream and the Lost Generation.

Accolades

The film received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, and Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis. The film won two Academy Awards, for Best Actor and Best Cinematography for Robert Elswit. The film also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis. The film's success can be attributed to the works of Orson Welles and Alfred Hitchcock, who have also explored themes of power and corruption in their films. The film has been recognized by institutions such as the Library of Congress and the National Film Registry, and has been named as one of the greatest films of all time by publications such as Sight & Sound and Empire. Category:American epic drama films