The Master (2012) 7/10

Starring : Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams
Director : Paul Thomas Anderson
Running Time : 138 mins

Freddie Quell (Phoenix), a naval veteran of the Second World War, returns to his home town and finds it difficult to settle down, suffering from a slight case of post-traumatic stress. Once he stumbles upon the cultish teachings of Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman), a man who believes in the use of hypnosis like practices to clear people of their negative emotions, he finds his life taking a turn for the better.

Phoenix is very effective in this movie, managing to portray his PTSD character with a believability that is rare and thankfully not over the top. Supporting actors Hoffman and Adams are equally effective, portraying a Scientology like commune in a fair and level manner that allows us as viewers to judge it for ourselves. I wouldn’t say this was good enough to win Best Picture at the Oscars, but it’s still worth watching.

You’ll like this if you liked : Magnolia