This film is based on a novel by Upton Sinclair. It is about the intersecting life stories of Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday in the early twentieth century of California. Daniel Plainview is a miner turned oilman and he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. He works hard but he takes advantage of those around him at their expense. His business partner is his son H.W. This is not his biological son because he was acquired when his father H.W. was killed in a work related accident. Daniel is protective of H.W. for what he brings to the partnership.
Eli Sunday is one in a pair of twins. Daniel purchased their family farm for the major oil deposit. Eli is the local preacher and self-proclaimed faith healer. He wants money from the sale of the property to be used to finance a church. There is a competitive clash between Eli and Daniel because Daniel pumps oil off the property. Also, Daniel tries to acquire all the surrounding land at bargain prices in order to build a pipeline to the coast. 5* (I really liked this movie)
158 min, Drama directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson and also written by Upton Sinclair with Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciaran Hinds, Martin, Matthew Braden and Jacob Stringer, Joseph Mussey, Barry Del Sherman, Harrison and Stockton Taylor, Paul F. Tompkins, Dillon Freasier, Kevin Breznahan, Jim Meskimen.
Note: Imdb 8.2* out of 10* with 507,401 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 92% with 236 critic reviews 86% with 255,190 user ratings, RollingStone 4* Peter Travers, Common Sense Media Cynthia Fuch, age 16+, 5* violence, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Roger Ebert 3 1/2*, The Guardian 5* Peter Bradshaw, Amazon 4.6*, 2,185 reviews.
Special Note: There is a scene with Daniel Plainview lecturing and horribly insulting Eli. Daniel says, "You're just the afterbirth, Eli, that slithered out of your mother's filth!!" I have never forgotten this very unusual line!!
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