Paul, you are my new favorite reviewer. You bring an awareness of character to the writing that is finely honed. I look forward to seeing this film before I see if we agree, however, it doesn't matter. You've set the tone for my musing.

The Master might be thematically similar to There Will Be Blood -- not surprising at all that a writer would revisit the same themes -- but it doesn't have any of the emotional impact, in my opinion. Joaquin Phoenix gives a strong performance as a dumb, drunken wretch, but is that character really interesting enough to stand at the centre of such a strange, ambitious film?