Director Review: P. T. ANDERSON

Everytime I think I know P. T. Anderson I see a film by him that redefines him in my eyes. Of the five full length films he's released since 1996, I've seen four and own two. Needless to say, he's my kind of filmmaker.

P. T.'s second film (I've still never seen his first, HARD EIGHT. I really want to) was BOOGIE NIGHTS. Despite it being a truly great representation of the 70's and a highly stylized film, I didn't really like it too much. This is just one of those incomprehensible things. The film displayed Anderson's great skill in color usage, dialogue, storytelling, cinematography, etc. I can't think of a single thing wrong with it actually. Just not my cup of tea I guess.

Anderson's third film, MAGNOLIA, on the other hand is. To say it borrows heavily from a variety of sources (Altman, Scorsese, the Bible) is no stretch, but still he makes the several intertwining storylines his own, adding peices of himself along the way. The whole thing, from the writing to the acting to the at times uncomfortably close cinematography, feels very intimate. And no important topic seems to be left out. We have here commentary on love, sex, family and most of all forgiveness.

My first Anderson film was his third PUNCH DRUNK LOVE. I saw this soon after its release to DVD in 2002. On my first viewing all I could think was, "What?" I did although enjoy it enough to buy it and give it another shot. The second viewing revealed to me that, like I'd later learn is true of all of Anderson's films, things with Punch Drunk Love must be more or less taken at face value. It's a simple, strange representation of love. As a film it's flawed, but I forgive all that because I love it so much. As a couple of side notes, people site this as the point when they realized Adam Sandler could act. I personally think anyone in the world could have acted that role, and if he ever displayed decent acting (which is still questionable) it would be in Funny People of Spanglish. But he should not be rich. Also, the music in Puch Drunk Love is awesome. Jon Brion is one of my favorite score writers (Eternal Sunshine, I Heart Huckabees).

Anderson's most recent film is, in my opinion, his best. THERE WILL BE BLOOD is the story of an oilman who, through his search for success loses all reason in life to succeed. It's dark as hell. Every part of it is perfectly tuned and this is the point at which I feel like P. T. Anderson proved that he is meant to be remembered. The music in the film is also noteworthy. Composed by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, it's an odd mix of dissonant strings, feedback noise and sometimes low, heavy drums. Nothing at all what you'd expect for a film set in the early 1900's.

P. T. Anderson is a diverse filmmaker. His work is always different, but it's always excellent.