Every man needs a guide.|Sep. 07, 2012|United States|137 Min.|R
Genre: Drama
Description: “The Master” (2012) is a film that follows Freddie Quell, a World War II veteran grappling with the aftermath of the war and his struggles to reintegrate into society. His unpredictable and violent behavior leads to his dismissal from a department store job as a photographer. While working on a California farm, an elderly coworker falls ill after drinking Quell’s homemade moonshine, prompting Quell to flee accusations of poisoning.
In San Francisco, Quell stows away on a yacht owned by followers of Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a philosophical movement called “The Cause.” Dodd invites Quell to stay, intrigued by his behavior and his moonshine. Dodd introduces Quell to a psychological exercise called “Processing,” during which Quell reveals traumatic experiences from his past, including the death of his father, his mother’s institutionalization, wartime killings, and an incestuous relationship with his aunt. Quell also recalls a past relationship with a woman named Doris, to whom he had promised to return.
As Quell becomes more involved with “The Cause,” other members grow wary of his erratic behavior. Quell clashes with Dodd’s son, Val, who accuses his father of improvising his teachings. When Dodd is arrested for practicing medicine without a license, Quell violently lashes out at the police. In jail, Quell erupts in anger, questioning Dodd’s teachings and accusing him of being a fraud. The film explores themes of identity, belief, and the search for meaning in a post-war world.
Cast director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast actor: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Jesse Plemons, Ambyr Childers, Rami Malek, Madisen Beaty, Kevin J. O’Connor, Patty McCormack
Original name: The Master