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First Post!Seen this twice now as the first time I got there late and missed the fact that Plainfield takes HW in so the ending felt false and disconnected for me. The second time i though "this is the greatest american film of the 21st century." I think the reveal to HW makes total psychological sense on Plainview's part. He has to have people that need him and when his adoptive son goes against this it enrages his ego. He also talks about HWs shady dealings and manipulation of him over the years and about how he has none of Plainview in him. Of course this is Plainview to a T but since he also detests the parts of himself that he sees in others (Eli & Henry for instance) he has to deny these things. The Eli confrontation can only happen after this scene as Eli is the one who ultimately hardened the connection between father and son in the come to jesus scene (hilarious btw). We see that Plainview take out his frustractions of his own short comings on others... I would argue that he kills henry not because he is angry at henry but at himself bor allowing himself to be manipulated so he attacks the cause instead of attempting to resolve the interior issue. So he kills Eli because he is angry at himself for the way he handles the confrontation with his son.
Quote from: krkst28 on January 08, 2008, 11:43:26 AMFirst Post!Seen this twice now as the first time I got there late and missed the fact that Plainfield takes HW in so the ending felt false and disconnected for me. The second time i though "this is the greatest american film of the 21st century." I think the reveal to HW makes total psychological sense on Plainview's part. He has to have people that need him and when his adoptive son goes against this it enrages his ego. He also talks about HWs shady dealings and manipulation of him over the years and about how he has none of Plainview in him. Of course this is Plainview to a T but since he also detests the parts of himself that he sees in others (Eli & Henry for instance) he has to deny these things. The Eli confrontation can only happen after this scene as Eli is the one who ultimately hardened the connection between father and son in the come to jesus scene (hilarious btw). We see that Plainview take out his frustractions of his own short comings on others... I would argue that he kills henry not because he is angry at henry but at himself bor allowing himself to be manipulated so he attacks the cause instead of attempting to resolve the interior issue. So he kills Eli because he is angry at himself for the way he handles the confrontation with his son.I think you nailed it.
Really? You think he regrets how he handles the situation with his son? I don't see any chance of Plainview feeling that. I'm not sure he's capable of regret by that point, but more importantly, he did a good thing letting his son go.
I think this can actually be played out as a black comedy. The theater I saw it in was laughing and there was a huge round of applause at the end of the film.
Quote from: Moviebuff28 on January 11, 2008, 02:07:50 AMI think this can actually be played out as a black comedy. The theater I saw it in was laughing and there was a huge round of applause at the end of the film. Yes, the question is whether Anderson wanted the humor there (or didn't care that it came through)
Quote from: Adam on January 11, 2008, 12:47:47 PMQuote from: Moviebuff28 on January 11, 2008, 02:07:50 AMI think this can actually be played out as a black comedy. The theater I saw it in was laughing and there was a huge round of applause at the end of the film. Yes, the question is whether Anderson wanted the humor there (or didn't care that it came through) Adam, if you check out the interview with Paul Thomas Anderson in this week's Onion, he says that he was hoping to get laughter from the audience. The question specifically addresses uncomfortable moments in the movie getting laughs, but PTA's answer seems to be a more general statement about the movie itself. Perhaps the movie would have been more powerful if it ended in a more understated manner, but I personally enjoyed watching the Plainview meltdown.
Quote from: Moviebuff28 on January 11, 2008, 02:07:50 AMI think this can actually be played out as a black comedy. The theater I saw it in was laughing and there was a huge round of applause at the end of the film. Yes, the question is whether Anderson wanted the humor there (or didn't care that it came through) For me personally, it's a problem. I think those moments could have been much more interesting without going over the top.Of course, then I wouldn't be able to walk around the rest of my life saying "DRAYYY-NAGE!" for no reason... or "I drink your milkshake... I drink it up!"
Quote from: Adam on January 11, 2008, 12:47:47 PMQuote from: Moviebuff28 on January 11, 2008, 02:07:50 AMI think this can actually be played out as a black comedy. The theater I saw it in was laughing and there was a huge round of applause at the end of the film. Yes, the question is whether Anderson wanted the humor there (or didn't care that it came through) For me personally, it's a problem. I think those moments could have been much more interesting without going over the top.Of course, then I wouldn't be able to walk around the rest of my life saying "DRAYYY-NAGE!" for no reason... or "I drink your milkshake... I drink it up!"http://www.idrinkyourmilkshake.com/