The Master
What’s it about?
This is a movie about L Ron Hubbard, and the beginnings of the cult of Scientology. Except [makes rabbit ears with both hands] “it’s not”.
What did we think?
James says: The illustrations of psychological conditioning in this film border on the intellectually violent, with Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams all delivering expertly crafted performances. Moreover, the cinematography was sublime and the soundtrack eerie and fitting.
If this movie was created to compare a few of the darkest corners of inhumanity, it succeeds in a fascinating yet horrifying way. However, the fact that it’s difficult to like or relate to any of the protagonists makes it an uneasy watch. This movie will polarise people its viewers deeply.
Beautifully made but cynically crafted, The Master feels more like it’s made with awards in mind than for story or art’s sake. Proof that the IS possible to have quality individual pieces being bought together without it being great as a whole. 2.5/5