Joaquin Phoenix,Philip Seymour Hoffman,Amy Adams,Laura Dern,Jesse Plemons,David Warshofsky,Rami Malek,Price Carson,Mike Howard,Sarah Shoshana David,Bruce Goodchild,Matt Hering,Dan Anderson,Andrew Koponen,Jeffrey Jenkins,Patrick Biggs,Ryan Curtis,Jay Laurence,Abraxas Adams,Tina Bruna |
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. Tom Charity-CNN.com
[A] challenging, psychologically fraught drama. J. R. Jones-Chicago Reader
Anderson cunningly lets the viewer add the "sinister" here. We can ponder a group that sees value in collecting and guarding the secrets of its members, that seeks out celebrities, the passion for litigation as a means of battling those who question it. Roger Moore-McClatchy-Tribune News Service
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. Rene Rodriguez-Miami Herald
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. Cary Darling-Dallas Morning News
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. Christopher Orr-The Atlantic
The at-times-impenetrable film will require multiple viewings to fully appreciate the multitude of themes and subtext. Matthew Odam-Austin American-Statesman
Anderson has achieved his mid-century epic, and in its pure 65mm sumptuousness, the great American movie. Harlan Jacobson-Boston Phoenix
THE MASTER is a brilliant film. THE MASTER is a confounding film. The Master is a terrible film. THE MASTER may talked about for the ages or forgotten in a few years. THE MASTER may be a masterpiece, THE MASTER may be empty of content... Jason Gorber-Filmfest
THE MASTER is brilliant and/or confounding and/or terrible. It may be talked about for the ages or forgotten in a few years. It may be a masterpiece, and/or it may be empty of content masked by strong moments of acting prowess and visual flare. Jason Gorber-Twitch
With almost no narrative progression, this film is basically a character study in which the main characters remain little changed and enigmatic. Robert Roten-Laramie Movie Scope
The least accessible of Anderson's films, and the least enjoyable, but it's intelligent and original enough for him to remain a "must-see" director. CJ Johnson-ABC Radio (Australia)
For me, it is a masterpiece, a visually stunning explosion of pure cinema, emotionally charged with a penetrating psychological punch. If you are bored by this film, to paraphrase the great Samuel Johnson, then you are bored with life. Brian Henry Martin-UTV
This is ( ... ) for cinephiles. You are expected to love it, but it sometimes left me scratching my head. Graham Young-Birmingham Mail
The Master is not short but, once you fill in the blanks, you find yourself constructing a meta-film that, if realised, would play for many, many more hours. Donald Clarke-Irish Times
A dense, baffling, thoroughly original epic that seems to divide viewers on the simple question of what it's supposed to be about. Ben Kenigsberg-Time Out Chicago
A bit of a sprawling, repetitive mess, a film that hints at greatness to be sure, but fails to come together in any coherent way ... Alistair Harkness-Scotsman
Feral, hunched, his face like a clenched fist, Phoenix's Freddie is inarticulate and blocked where Hoffman's Dodd is extravagant, loquacious and smooth, although Dodd's sudden eruptions of anger suggests a possible kinship between them beneath the skin. Jason Best-Movie Talk
Another challenging, impeccably crafted and purposefully uncomfortable effort which will delight arthouse buffs and bore mainstream viewers in equal measure, The Master isn't for everyone. Stephen Carty-Flix Capacitor
The Master is drags you through the dark flux of a destructive man's clash with a man hell bent on manipulating his universe. It's powerful cinema in every regard. Blake Howard-2UE That Movie Show
Insightful and explosive examination of humanity Cameron Williams-The Popcorn Junkie
The film draws much strength from the exceptional performances of both Phoenix and Hoffman and the riveting interplay between their characters. Matthew Toomey-ABC Radio Brisbane
There are gaping chasms in the story and side stories that go nowhere. Yet the power of [Philip Seymour] Hoffman's performance is so hypnotic you forgive the film's faults just to revel in his all-consuming portrayal of a man possessed by his own beliefs. Jim Schembri-3AW
It certainly isn't for everyone, but those who like a challenge will find there is much to learn from The Master. Alex Zane-Sun Online
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