The Master
September 2012
4
4
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Synopsis
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Reviews
4.1
162 total
5 84
4 42
3 17
2 9
1 10
David Thomson
It's a mess; it's pretentious; it is thundery with dismay.
Tom Charity
In the end it may not have the emotional uplift the Academy or a popular mainstream audience craves, but make no mistake, this is an enthralling drama about a peculiarly American restlessness, and the striving for insight and grace.
J. R. Jones
[A] challenging, psychologically fraught drama.
Rene Rodriguez
The actors' commitment to their roles is impressive, but it's tethered to a weightless, airless movie, a film so enamored of itself, the audience gets shut out.
Cary Darling
The Master may go down as one of Paul Thomas Anderson's most compelling works for two simple reasons: Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Christopher Orr
Where There Will Be Blood transmuted sullen earth into flame and launched it violently skyward, The Master is, as its opening shot advertises, a more fluid undertaking, a story of ebb and flow.
Critic reviews
Tom Charity
In the end it may not have the emotional uplift the Academy or a popular mainstream audience craves, but make no mistake, this is an enthralling drama about a peculiarly American restlessness, and the striving for insight and grace.
Rene Rodriguez
The actors' commitment to their roles is impressive, but it's tethered to a weightless, airless movie, a film so enamored of itself, the audience gets shut out.
Cary Darling
The Master may go down as one of Paul Thomas Anderson's most compelling works for two simple reasons: Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Christopher Orr
Where There Will Be Blood transmuted sullen earth into flame and launched it violently skyward, The Master is, as its opening shot advertises, a more fluid undertaking, a story of ebb and flow.
User reviews

How did I sit throught this? First, let me say that the only reason that I made it through this movie is that I was on a plane and had nothing else to do. I almost fell asleep several times trying to watch it. If you like movies without any discernible plot, purpose or character arc then this movie is for you. None of the characters were compelling. Nothing interesting happens in the movie. The movie is ultimately the story of two men with a strange relationship against the backdrop of the birth of Scientology. But there's nothing intriguing or challenging or shocking or rewarding about watching their relationship develop, or not develop. It's just a jumble of loosely connected scenes with some admittedly strong acting. That's it. If you like to see actors act, then maybe you can sit through this. I wouldn't recommend spending money on it.
The Master Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix. ENOUGH SAID. Reminded me of L. Ron Hubbard and the cult like atmosphere of scientology and their movement. Hoffman was incredible with his performance, I would of joined up myself if he and I talked face to face. Thumbs up to Amy Adams for her revealing performance. PHOENIX...you continue to impress even laughing at toilet humor. Mentally unstable played with depth. He too has Loved. Toxic boos concocted as AN ELIXIR truely loyal and faithul to his true Master.
Don't buy into the hype. The art crowd loves this movie because they think they are supposed to. A year from now it'll be disregarded and forgotten. It is a pointless waste of time. Meandering uninteresting plot. Good cinematagraphy at times though, just not worth the tedium to see them.
masterpiece Don't listen to all these people who say it's boring and unwatchable. That is simply because they are the immature type of movie-goers who enjoy mindless explosions instead of mature and creative writing directing and acting. If you are mature, and love classicly sophisticated cinema that clearly shoes how movies can be a true art form, then you will enjoy this.

Good movie Unlike those who actually spent their time playing tic tac toe while the movie was playing, this movie was griping with all sorts of emotion and story. Sure, this movie isn't for everybody, but to say it had no plot whatsoever is just madness. This movie is a must see, and it shows the evolution of how certain groups came to be, and one man being inbetween it all. The psychological thrills should be keeping your mind pondering during and after the movie, and overall it's a good watch.
Cast and credits
Actors | Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Laura Dern |
Producers | Ted Schipper, Adam Somner, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison, Daniel Lupi, JoAnne Sellar |
Director | Paul Thomas Anderson |
Additional information
Rotten tomatoes® score
Audio language
Subtitles
English
Rental period
Start within 30 days, finish within 48 hours.
Info cards
Run time
137 minutes
Rating
R
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