The Master 2012

     Freddie Sutton is a Naval war veteran of WWII working for Lancaster Dodd.  Freddie is damaged physiologically and Lancaster is a very charismatic figure focused on building his own religion.  Freddie is an alcoholic and he’s also self- destructive.  This new religion is like a cult and Freddie still has enough self-preservation to keep him from fully joining into this movement.

     This movie is very different than I expected, basically it’s constant confrontation between the characters played by Hoffman and Phoenix.  No resolution with smoke and mirrors surrounding everything they are, believe and stand for.  Is there any purpose for this film, that is my question?  3* (This movie is OK)

   

138 min, Drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Rami Malek, Price Carson, Mike Howard, Matt Hering.

Note:  Blockbuster 3*, imdb 7.3 out of 10, 86% critic 61% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

Special Note:  In late 2008, Phoenix announced he had retired from acting to pursue a rapping career.  Later he said this was all eccentric and incoherent behavior for a mocumentary he was making with Casey Affleck?  Maybe this film is still part of a similar project?