Film: The Master (TBC)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

There’s been a fair amount of controversy around this film, with some industry folk saying powers that be tried to get the funding pulled, and others representing a rather high profile belief system calling the accusation hogwash. Suffice it to say, there’s been interest in it, and The Master was creating its own myths and conspiracies before the last edit was made.

So, down to the story. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a World War II veteran who returns to the US with a bold idea for a new religion. Picking up drifter Joaquin Phoenix as his right hand man, the ‘cult’ soon begins to grow, and with its success comes more outside attention into the real motives and ethos behind the community. Attention that could threaten its very continuation.

Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the man who wrote and directed There Will Be Blood, don’t expect any punches to be pulled and do expect there to be a certain amount of awards fever and blockbuster box office in The Master’s wake. And for it to be bloody brilliant.

Released Friday 2 November
Showing at Odeon and Cineworld