By Jacob Cameron

“If you figure a way to live without serving a master, any master, then let the rest of us know, will you? For you’d be the first person in the history of the world.”

This quote from Lancaster Dodd serves as an intriguing look at an incredibly complex character in an equally complex film. The Master is a film that feels like it captures a unique moment. That moment sits at the crossroads of the lives of Dodd, the master, and Freddie Quell, the student. This is a film that is both complicated and simple. And it makes for an incredible watch.

The Master tells the story of Freddie Quell, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who is truly a lost soul. After serving in the Navy in World War II, he becomes a drifter riddle with PTSD. Going from job to job and lacking in any kind of direction. While stowing away on a boat, he meets Lancaster Dodd, played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Dodd owns the boat; he is an affluent man who is a successful author and the leader of a cult called The Cause. The film explores the relationship between the pair and how their collective decisions affect each other.

As mentioned last week with Daniel Day-Lewis, the talents of Joaquin Phoenix do not need to be spelled out. He is a two-time Oscar winner and is generally fantastic in anything he’s involved with. The Master is no different for he plays someone who is a contradiction. Freddie Quell wants direction and to know what to do with his life but is easily angered and prone to violence. He does have legitimate mental health issues and a dark past but seems to make no effort to truly fix these issues.

Similar to Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is excellent. It is a shame that Hoffman is no longer with us because he always gave great performances. He gives complexity to Lancaster Dodd, which is similar to Freddie Quell. He is successful and charismatic while also being insecure in areas and petty in certain aspects. It is genuinely enthralling to watch Phoenix and Hoffman on screen together and working off of each other.

The rest of the cast includes Amy Adams, Rami Malek, Jesse Plemons, and Laura Dern. While these actors give good performances, this is the Phoenix/Hoffman show. The best scene occurs when Dodd asks Quell a series of questions. While this seems innocuous, the dialogue is the complete opposite. Dodd asks Quell several questions about his past, and Quell quickly becomes annoyed. But Dodd successfully manages to wear down Quell and get him to admit to some very disturbing things.

There are subtle hints as to the true motives of both of these men. With their true selves being shown for brief glimpses but exploding forth with relentless energy. 

Ultimately, this is not one of the more remembered of PTA’s films. This has the unfortunate distinction of coming after There Will Be Blood. But it is still a great film and one that should be sought out.

5 stars