The Master - Review

"He's making all this up as he goes along - you don't see that?"

The Master is an enigmatic film that's about the illusion of control.  Director P.T. Anderson has crafted another demanding film that necessitates multiple viewings.  I won't pretend to have picked up on all of his nuances nor do I know enough about Scientology to make the comparisons that other critics have. Regardless, the film seems to be dealing with, among other things, psychology.  The line between manipulation, research, and therapy becomes blurred throughout the film.  Hoffman's character is eloquent and assumes a role of supposed mastery and control, but can also explode with emotion at any moment.  His "program" establishes a following based on a philosophy that is held together by fluctuating principles.  Phoenix's character, too, is a ticking time bomb in his own right - more erratic, almost animalistic, and intermittently sympathetic.  The dynamic between the two is nothing less than compelling and is sure to gather much Academy recognition.

The film is a stylistic wonder and, if nothing else, just plain interesting.  The question could be raised if several scenes are real or imagined.  Even raising that question is an accomplishment in and of itself, and further represents the lines being blurred.  There aren't any absolutes in The Master, but the film's characters seem to be constantly looking for them.  P.T. Anderson once again has created a film that asks big questions, consistently catches viewers off guard, and stands in a category that's all its own.

4.5 out of 5