Paul Thomas Anderson at the Movies
The American director's latest film is deeply influenced by cinematic culture. In Robert Altman’s dark Hollywood satire The Player, cynical executives question each other about their last visit to a cinema. When one mentions watching the neorealist classic Bicycle Thieves the night before, another insists,
“No, I’m talking about a movie-movie,”
meaning not an auteur film but a truly entertaining American movie with suspense, humor, violence, and a happy ending.
Can a film combine both qualities? With his new movie One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson seems to have blurred the lines, blending edge-of-your-seat action with the complex psychological drama he is known for.
Anderson’s Cinematic Range
Anderson is a leading figure in contemporary cinema, celebrated for mastering both kinetic epics and alienated romances. Films like There Will Be Blood and The Master showcase his skill in grand, dynamic storytelling, while Phantom Thread and Licorice Pizza highlight his touch with nuanced romantic narratives.
One Battle After Another
This new film combines these genres, delivering the car-chase action movie Anderson has envisioned for two decades. It follows the story of Pat Calhoun, a worn-out revolutionary also called Ghetto Pat or Rocket Man, who belongs to an insurgent group named “The French 75.” Leonardo DiCaprio plays this central character.
“One Battle After Another centres on the character of washed-out revolutionary Pat Calhoun (Leonardo DiCaprio), also known as Ghetto Pat or Rocket Man, a member of an insurrectionary group called ‘The French 75’.”
The film represents a daring fusion of thrilling entertainment and Anderson’s signature psychological depth.
Author’s summary: Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film masterfully combines thrilling action with complex character drama, highlighting his versatility and deep cinematic knowledge.