'The Master' A Review

'The Master' is a film about the relationship of two men. It takes place in the 50's. Joaquin Phoenix plays Freddy Quill a listless alcoholic. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays The Master a leader of a quasi-religious organization vaguely resembling Scientology. The two meet and develop a connection. There is a lot in the film that is understated, so understated in fact it's nonexistent. Nothing actually happens in the film. The characters go through no change. There seems to be no point. If Paul Thomas Anderson had a point in making the film(which I doubt) it's so subtle it's indiscernible.

The film looks great and sounds great. I would have said the acting was also great if the characters went through anything, if anything happened to them, if they changed at all, but they do not. Doing the same thing for 150 minutes isn't impressive. They are also almost entirely unlikable. Not a single character in the film garners any sympathy so as an audience member you are not invested in the non-action that's going on. The story doesn't go anywhere. It simply fades in and fades out. There really isn't much about Scientology in the film or L. Ron Hubbard who the film is suppose to be inspired by. The film has no substance. No actual story. All sizzle, no steak.

Don't See It.