MOVIE REVIEW: 'The Master'

This film, The Master, by director Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood, Boogie Nights) is one of many twists and turns. To say this film is different, would do it no service. The feature presentation has a run time of 137 minutes in which it takes you on an adventure that has you both asking questions and wanting more, all in a good way.

The film follows World War II Navy veteran Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoneix), through his life after he returns home from the war. Suffereing from a severe case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Freddie struggles to settle back into society. 

A raging alcoholic, Freddie is unable to find his place anywhere. After a series of odd jobs that have all failed due to his mental capacity and alcoholism, he is forced to wander as a modern day nomad.

Upon his travels he seeks refuge upon a boat set for sail. The boat is captained by Dr. Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the leader of a philosophical movement known as The Cause. The doctor takes in Freddie in an attempt to cure him of his mental illness. The curing process consists of many irrational and hard to decipher tests and exercises. These practices are extremely unheard of in the 1950s, and Dodd is seen as practicing witchcraft and spreading lies.

Freddie becomes so submerged in The Cause, he defends it with everything that he is, often resulting in drunken fights and even landing him in jail.

The film portrays Freddie as somewhat of a lost puppy, simply trying to find his way. 

Keeping up with the plot, the constant flashbacks and the incredibly strange practices performed by this "doctor", make the film unique in a way that no film has accomplished in quite some time. 

This is truly a film in which each person viewing it will have their own interpretation of just what the director was trying to accomplish and what message he was trying to convey.

Regardless of this, the film was very well acted. Joaquin gave an inspirational performance, even going as far as sacrificing his own health to look the part. Not since Walk The Line, has he been so powerful in a role.

Be warned, there is a fair bit of adult language in this film, and the nudity will sneak up on you, just as it did to me when it first flashed on the screen.

There really is no other movie out there that is like this. If you're curious, I highly recommend seeing this.

I give it 3.5 Patches out of 5

Showtimes are: 12:30 | 1:30 | 4:45 | 6:50 | 8:00 at the

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