An effigy of greed. As a “deep,” long-faced epic, it’s grim in a facile way. Content denudes form: Gradually loveless, and mostly vile, Daniel Plainview (the hero) seems mad from the word go. Even with a rise and fall, there’s not much under the surface. Barring his son in a bit part, we can’t relate to anyone. Nonetheless — good scenes abound. I’m especially fond of the first twenty or so minutes.
Joe Keaton
Weird tales for the late crowd. And riffs on pop culture.
