THE MASTER ("NOT FOR THE MASSES")

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix,Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson.

The Master is a story about the relationship that an eccentric naval war veteran (Joaquin Phoenix) shares with the leader of a movement (or cult) (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Set in 1950, The Master begins with Phoenix returning from the navy to lead a normal life. Because of the kind of stress he has gone through while in the navy along with some other personal problems and alcoholism he finds it hard to get back to normal life. He is charmed by Hoffman (The Master) who is “a writer, a doctor, a nuclear physicist, a philosopher and above all a man just like you” as he himself puts it. Hoffman brings him into his organization in a bid to help him. Amy Adams plays Hoffman’s wife.

What would interest you the most about The Master is the performances; the terrific Phoenix and the subtle Hoffman. If the sessions between them in the first half are electric the second half lends more of a psychological angle to the whole affair. Undoubtedly this is one of the best performances of his career by Phoenix, if not The best.

The film moves at a slow pace and there is a fair chance that the average viewer might find the content of the film confusing (especially with respect to the character played by Hoffman), dragging and a bit disturbing. The runtime of 144 minutes seems a little excess, a defter handling of the screenplay would have proved commercially better for the film.

Cinematography, just like Argo, gives you the perfect feel of the era that the film deals with and that is a good move by the director. Costume design and art direction should also be mentioned in particular for the wonderful job done.

Iam giving a 3.25/5 for The Master. Watch it if you like slow moving films.

IMDB Link - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1560747/?ref_=sr_1

Rating Scale (Out of 5)

Less than 2                   -           Unwatchable.

2 to 2.25                      -           Below average.

2.5 to 2.75                   -           Average.

3 to 3.25                      -           Good.

3.5 to 3.75                   -           Great.

4 to 4.25                      -           Exceptional.

4.5 and above               -           Extraordinary.