The Bottom Line
Pros
- Daniel Day-Lewis is riveting
- Paul Dano shows why he's one of the most in-demand actors of his generation
- Set design and cinematography is first-rate
Cons
- The score is overpowering and even annoying at times
- Sparse collection of bonus features
Description
- Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, and Ciaran Hinds
- Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
- Rated R for some violence
- DVD Release Date: April 8, 2008
Guide Review - 'There Will Be Blood' 2-Disc Collector's Edition DVD Review
The StoryThere Will Be Blood traces the rise of miner Daniel Plainview (Day-Lewis) from a simple, hard-working man to a millionaire in the oil business. Along with his son, H.W. (Dillon Freasier), Daniel travels to wherever oil is discovered, buying up land, pumping out the black gold, and increasing his wealth and importance within the burgeoning oil industry. Given a tip about Little Boston, a small town with lots of oil, Daniel and H.W. set up deals there and square off against a young, charismatic preacher, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), who wants his share of the money to better his church.
As the years go by, Daniel's relationship with his son deteriorates and conflicts with the preacher escalate. Oil makes him rich but nothing makes Daniel a happy man.
The Bonus Features
The There Will Be Blood DVD may have Collector's Edition in its title, but the DVD is seriously lacking in bonus features. No commentary tracks, cast interviews, Making Of pieces, or other behind-the-scenes extras are included on this DVD release. The barebones DVD features a 15 minute montage of footage and photos from the film mixed with actual shots from the era portrayed in the movie. There's also deleted footage of a fishing sequence and the haircut scene, and a 'Dailies Gone Wild' bit that's semi-interesting. If you want more info on the time period, the DVD includes a black & white/silent film, 'The Story of Petroleum,' created by the US Bureau of Mines to promote the oil industry. And that's it. Pick this one up for the movie itself and not the bonus features.
