I was blown away by this film. It is so nuanced and yet so ambiguous that it is a treat I will get to enjoy over and over for years to come. I love Paul Thomas Anderson's films and was very excited to see that he was finally back with a film after many years. Living in tiny town I had to wait quite a while before it came to a theatre with stadium seats and decent sound. But it was worth the wait. Oh to have seen this at the AMC 25 on 42nd Street! I have seen Daniel Plainview characterized in some reviews of There Will Be Blood as he personification of evil. That misses the point of this story and especially the center-piece performance. Daniel Plainview is absolutely a self-centered, misanthropic liar who is blinded by his drive to draw out the earth's riches to build his wealth for a very specific purpose but he is not evil. Simplifying this character in this way does a disservice to both Daniel Day-Lewis' performance and the character he and Paul Thomas Anderson have crafted. Day-Lewis is so amazing as he embodies this man who has true moments of empathy with his son but who cannot control his desire to win any and every competition. Paul Dano is also amazing opposite Day-Lewis as the conniving would be preacher. This character comes off far more evil though they are each cut from the same cloth. There is so much in this film that I can't even begin to do it justice. The performances, the cinematography, the music, the story, the sunsets. I agree with the masterpiece verdict that is floating around.... it is an American masterpiece.
Memorable moment: I drink your milkshake!