LAist: Movie Review: There Will Be Blood

David Grossman

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:26:50 -0800

Greenwood's score, to me at least, brought the film up to the next level. With that first shot, and those dischordant strings, you know those hills have something more to offer than oil. Also, go see for it for the opening vignette, which in six minutes out does most of Hollywood without saying a word. Best movie of the year, hands down.

Josh Tate

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:41:57 -0800

I thought the inclusion of that type of score actually goes toward the ambition of the film. Deciding to go with Greenwood's aggresively intrusive music was a bold choice. It reminded me--not musically but thematically--of that insistent piano that Kubrick used in Eyes Wide Shut.

Ali Miller

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:58:42 -0800

I completely agree with this review, especially the notion of it being P.T.'s most ambitious film. While DDL was undoubtedly great, it made me appreciate Paul Dano more as an actor. From the geeky teenager in the Girl Next Door to the depressed teenager in Little Miss Sunshine, I thought this film expanded the scope of his talent. Some thought that he over-acted, though. Although, I thought the dissonance in Greenwood's score was too much. Yes, it did in fact aim to make the viewer anxious, which worked. I just didn't think it was cohesive enough to move the story along. I'm no musician, but just because he toyed with the "positive major chord/negative minor chord" progressions doesn't mean he's brilliant.