The Master
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:18 am
Finally got round to seeing this film last night after much anticipation and great expectations. I regard 'Magnolia' amongst my all time favorite films and on this basis was hoping for something exeptional; I wasn't dissapointed. It's a work of art, meticulously crafted and acted and one that leaves haunting images sculling around the mind long after it's closing shot - but I didn't like it. I found Jochaim Phoenix's charachter repellent and Philip Seymore Homman's thinly disguised parody of L Ron Hubbard cold and manipulative in the extreme. But that said, both were brilliant and like the cult religion they developed, both without heart or feeling.
Phoenix for starters gives such a masterful performance of a man, ragged and always on the verge of total meltdown that it is almost impossible to believe he is acting [Given his recent activities it is entierly possible he isn't]. His appearence alone, with one dead side to his face, his slurred speech and his thin grey pallor is frightening and along side his dangerous manical intensity, becomes almost painfull to watch.
Hoffman plays, well...Hoffman - but to great effect. We are treated to rare glimpses of how 'the Master' is in fact winging it as he goes along and each time he is threatened with exposure as a sham he responds with fury and bullying untill the threat is passed.
To what extent the film represents the true origins of Scientology I can't say - but it is a frightening exposure of how a brilliant mind could manipulate and goad a fringe of vulnerable people into a cod religion, and might just pull it off! [I have a vision of a world 2000 years from now where Scientologists war with Jedi Knights and speak reverently about their early history whan the appostle's Tom Cruise and Ewan McGregor came forth to spearhead the promulgation of their respective creed's].
This isn't pleasant viewing - don't watch it in front of the kids - but see it at all costs. You won't like it - but you won't regret it when it's over.
Phoenix for starters gives such a masterful performance of a man, ragged and always on the verge of total meltdown that it is almost impossible to believe he is acting [Given his recent activities it is entierly possible he isn't]. His appearence alone, with one dead side to his face, his slurred speech and his thin grey pallor is frightening and along side his dangerous manical intensity, becomes almost painfull to watch.
Hoffman plays, well...Hoffman - but to great effect. We are treated to rare glimpses of how 'the Master' is in fact winging it as he goes along and each time he is threatened with exposure as a sham he responds with fury and bullying untill the threat is passed.
To what extent the film represents the true origins of Scientology I can't say - but it is a frightening exposure of how a brilliant mind could manipulate and goad a fringe of vulnerable people into a cod religion, and might just pull it off! [I have a vision of a world 2000 years from now where Scientologists war with Jedi Knights and speak reverently about their early history whan the appostle's Tom Cruise and Ewan McGregor came forth to spearhead the promulgation of their respective creed's].
This isn't pleasant viewing - don't watch it in front of the kids - but see it at all costs. You won't like it - but you won't regret it when it's over.