TOP 5 PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON Films
- MATTHEW ANDERSON
- 8 hours ago
- 7 min read
Before we get into our yearly award season and wait for reactions to come out of the upcoming Fall festivals, let's talk about our newly minted Oscar-winning filmmaker, Paul Thomas Anderson. The guy has slowly become one of my personal favorite directors working in Hollywood, due to his complex characters, witty humor, and unique voice on bizarre ideas. Even if he's not the type to work on a tentpole IP like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he's a filmmaker who's not afraid to try something different.
Regardless how odd and dark his films may be, the man has been able to take on such weird situations and turn them into fascinating character studies. Even his weakest films, there's also something to admire that you don't see a lot of in modern filmmaking. And once again: I'm here to present my personal five favorites from the man.
But before we do, I want to give some honorable mentions because most (if not all) of his films are surprisingly good and worth at least one watch:
Boogie Nights
Punch-Drunk Love
Hard Eight
The Master
5) Phantom Thread
Plot Summary via Letterboxd: In 1950s London, a renowned dressmaker's meticulous lifestyle begins drastically changing his relationship with his young muse intensifies.
Phantom Thread is the movie that made me understand the hype surrounding Paul Thomas Anderson as a filmmaker. Prior to this, I had seen Boogie Nights and Punch-Drunk Love but felt they were okay at best; since then, my opinion has changed on them. As for this film, I surprisingly enjoyed it.
Phantom Thread works because of its performances by Daniel Day-Lewis and Lesley Manville, as well as the subdued direction by PTA himself. It also works for me, as you get a solid performance by the muse/love interest of Reynolds Woodcock, who's played by Vicky Krieps. I also love the technical work on display, from the beautiful score by Jonny Greenwood and gorgeous costume designs by Mark Bridges; the latter of which earned an Academy Award win for his efforts.
There are some issues I do have with the film, in particular with the pacing which can become tedious at times. If you want to know more of my extensive, spoiler-filled thoughts, check out my review over on my Patreon. Regardless, this is still a solid film that satisfied a hungry boy like me.
4) Magnolia
Plot Summary via Letterboxd: On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host, and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.
At the time, Magnolia was Paul Thomas Anderson's third feature film. He had come off the heels of Boogie Nights, which was a commercial and critical success to where New Line Cinema said he could do whatever he wanted for his next project. So, what does he decide to do? Make an interconnecting film about the different lives in the San Fernando Valley over the course of one day, with a weird phenomenon tying them all together.
Around this time, audiences were used to seeing a movie like this with Amores Perros, Traffic, and Crash. And while this one does show the audience how each of these character's lives are part of a large, human story, Paul approaches the story as an epic. We see how not only the actions and trauma being carried by these characters, but we see them go on a defined arc.
Out of the entire ensemble (who are providing amazing performances), the one that really stood out to me was Tom Cruise, as he plays a motivation speak who's a sex guru. It's not only a role that's has the actor playing against type, but really does showcase a guy, who's filled with trauma and decides to bottle it up by being this persona he puts on for the public. The rest of the acting group is incredible, especially Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Even if the film's three-hour runtime may turn people away, I'd highly recommend you check this out. It may not be Paul's best film, but it's his most ambitious one to date. And in a world where creativity is lacking day by day, that's got to count for something.
3) Licorice Pizza
Plot Summary via Letterboxd: The story of Gary Valentine and Alana Kane growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.
If there's one trademark Paul Thomas Anderson has, it's his obsession with setting his films in the San Fernando Valley. Not all of them do this, but you can name a handful of his movies that have done this. And Licorice Pizza is no exception to this. The film has a hangout feel to it in a good way, that has great performances, an engaging enough story behind it, and has some hilarious characters we see along the way.
One of my favorite subplots involves Gary and Alana delivering a waterbed to Jon Peters. Not only is that a great sequence that's filled with subtle tension building, but Bradley Cooper has such a fun time playing this role. It takes the film awhile for him to pop up, but when he does show up it's a great part for him to play.
I also connect with this a bit more, as when I saw the film I was able to relate to the characters' struggles. In that, I was empathizing with Alana as she's trying to mature as an adult, but also young enough to remember the stuff I did as an immature 15-year-old. Yeah; the dream-like tone may not work for everyone, but Licorice Pizza has enough great moments to make this one of my favorites from PTA.
2) One Battle After Another
Plot Summary via Letterboxd: When their evil nemesis resurfaces after 16 years, a band of ex-revolutionaries reunite to rescue the daughter of one of their own.
One Battle After Another is an amazing film due to its memorable dialogue, terrific directing, extraordinary performances, and fast-paced editing. What surprised me the most was that not only is Paul tackling eerily familiar political commentary in what's going on in today's world (particularly in the United States), but that he actually has a touching father and daughter relationship at the center. Even the quote on quote "climax" of the story in the desert has a surprising amount of sincerity that Paul doesn't usually have in his films; they usually feel cynical when it comes to its message or tone like Boogie Nights.
The performances in here are extraordinary with Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, and Chase Infiniti providing great work; I'll even say Sean Penn provides my favorite performance in the ensemble, as he plays such a cartoonish villain that actually fit the satirical tone the film is embracing. There's also terrific action set pieces with the car chases, as well as a good amount of humor that I found to be funny. Add in a wonderful score by Johnny Greenwood and you got yourself a fantastic film. If it weren't for another film on this list, One Battle After Another would've easily been one of my favorites from the director. As is, it's just another masterclass from an amazing director.
1) There Will Be Blood
Plot Summary via Letterboxd: Ruthless silver miner, turned oil prospector, Daniel Plainview, moves to oil-rich California. Using his son to project a trustworthy, family-man image, Plainview cons local landowners into selling him their valuable properties for a pittance. However, local preacher Eli Sunday suspects Plainview’s motives and intentions, starting a slow-burning feud that threatens both their lives.
There Will Be Blood was a movie that I actually hadn't seen the whole way until around 2019. On my first viewing, I thought it was just good but not this masterpiece that everyone had touted it as for over a decade. The more I keep watching it over and over, the better it got to where it's now my favorite film from Paul Thomas Anderson.
Not only do you have arguably one of the greatest actors of our time in your movie, but Daniel Day-Lewis is giving what I'd say is one of his best performances of his already impressive career. He put a ton of energy and research in playing such a complex and fascinating character; all of which is shown in full display. While he's not a sympathetic character to watch, there's something about Daniel Plainview that makes me curious what he'll do to get the vultures of his competition off his back.
The rest of the film is amazing from the stellar performances, the technical work all around, and the wonderful script that has such rich detail bursting onto the screen. There's plenty of awe-inspiring moments that make my jaw drop in terms of how they pulled it off. Whether it's the incredible opening mine scene or the gas blowout sequence, it's incredible that they managed to capture all of this on film. And talk about an amazing finale that just sticks with you long after the credits are done. If you haven't seen this film yet or having gotten around to it in some time, throw it on and see an artist provide you with their masterpiece.
Conclusion
I'm just happy that the guy finally got his due from the Academy and was rewarded his three Oscars for One Battle After Another. The guy has made one incredible film after another to where even something like Inherent Vice has some redeemable value behind it. Now, would I want his next film to be on par with that? No but I am curious what he decides to do next.
If he's out there listening, I have a few suggestions on what he could do. Maybe reunite with Tom Cruise or (one of my favorites) Bradley Cooper in a leading role? Direct something with a female leading role? Or challenge yourself by doing another action flick? As of now, Paul Thomas Anderson doesn't have another film lined up but whatever it is I'll be there opening weekend.
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