There Will Be Greed. There Will Be Vengeance.

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciarán Hinds, Russell Harvard, Colleen Foy, Davis Willis, Hans Howes, Jim Downey

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"What are you looking so miserable about? There's a whole ocean of oil under our feet! No one can get at it except for me." – Daniel Plainview

Why watch this? Lewis excels as merciless greed personified.

Plot Summary: The film follows Daniel Plainview, a driven and ruthless prospector who shifts from mining to oil extraction in early 20th century California. Accompanied by his adopted son H.W., Daniel skillfully acquires land, often using the boy's presence to cultivate a trustworthy image among locals. As Daniel's wealth and influence grow, he develops a bitter rivalry with Eli Sunday, a charismatic local preacher whose church stands on a potentially lucrative oil field.

Dad's Preview: Director Paul Anderson transports the viewers back in time to a place of America's oil discovery. As the film ambles along, it becomes the birth place for another American trait - bottomless avarice. This oil field tale really kicks into high gear when our central character, Daniel, encounters Paul and Eli Sunday. This epic sparring match leaves quite a path of destruction, and showcases the acting talents of both Daniel Day Lewis (channeling Bill the Butcher energy) and newcomer Paul Dano, who plays both the Sunday twin brothers. I won't lie that this film isn't bleak, but as a work of cinematic art, it stands with some of the best.

Ghoulardi Film Co., Scott Rudin Prod.; Paramount Vantage