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IMDbPro

The Master

  • 20122012
  • RR
  • 2h 18m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
173K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,358
204
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, and Amy Adams in The Master (2012)
A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by The Cause and its charismatic leader.
Play trailer1:12
8 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama
A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by the Cause and its charismatic leader.A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by the Cause and its charismatic leader.A Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by the Cause and its charismatic leader.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
173K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,358
204
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Writer
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Stars
      • Philip Seymour Hoffman
      • Joaquin Phoenix
      • Amy Adams
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Writer
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Stars
      • Philip Seymour Hoffman
      • Joaquin Phoenix
      • Amy Adams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 583User reviews
    • 505Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 75 wins & 187 nominations total

    Videos8

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 1:12
    Theatrical Version
    Exclusive Trailer Premiere
    Trailer 1:12
    Exclusive Trailer Premiere
    No. 1
    Trailer 2:39
    No. 1
    A Guide to the Films of Paul Thomas Anderson
    Clip 2:14
    A Guide to the Films of Paul Thomas Anderson
    "She Wrote Me A Letter"
    Clip 1:39
    "She Wrote Me A Letter"
    "Hopelessly Inquisitive"
    Clip 1:30
    "Hopelessly Inquisitive"
    "Was There a Fight?"
    Clip 1:40
    "Was There a Fight?"
    What Roles Has Joaquin Phoenix Turned Down?
    Video 3:02
    What Roles Has Joaquin Phoenix Turned Down?

    Photos165

    Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix in The Master (2012)
    Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Ambyr Childers, and Jillian Bell in The Master (2012)
    Joaquin Phoenix in The Master (2012)
    Beth Brinker in The Master (2012)
    Paul Thomas Anderson and Joaquin Phoenix in The Master (2012)
    Amy Adams at an event for The Master (2012)
    Paul Thomas Anderson, Amy Adams, and JoAnne Sellar at an event for The Master (2012)
    Paul Thomas Anderson and Amy Adams at an event for The Master (2012)
    John Turturro at an event for The Master (2012)
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt at an event for The Master (2012)
    Joaquin Phoenix and Heather Christie at an event for The Master (2012)
    Amy Adams at an event for The Master (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Lancaster Dodd
    Joaquin Phoenix
    Joaquin Phoenix
    • Freddie Quell
    Amy Adams
    Amy Adams
    • Peggy Dodd
    Jesse Plemons
    Jesse Plemons
    • Val Dodd
    Price Carson
    Price Carson
    • V.A. Doctor
    Mike Howard
    • Rorschach Doctor
    Sarah Shoshana David
    • V.A. Nurse
    Bruce Goodchild
    Bruce Goodchild
    • V.A. Doctor…
    Matt Hering
    • V.A. Patient
    Dan Anderson
    • V.A. Patient
    Andrew Koponen
    Andrew Koponen
    • V.A. Patient
    Jeffrey W. Jenkins
    Jeffrey W. Jenkins
    • V.A. Patient
    Patrick Wilder
    • V.A. Patient
    • (as Patrick Biggs)
    Ryan Curtis
    • V.A. Patient
    Jay Laurence
    • V.A. Patient
    Abraxas Adams
    • V.A. Patient
    Tina Bruna
    • Portrait Customer
    Kevin Hudnell
    Kevin Hudnell
    • Portrait Customer
    • Director
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Writer
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During the jail cell scene, Joaquin Phoenix breaks a real toilet. His actions were entirely improvised. Due to the historical past of the building where the scene took place, the toilet was considered "historical." Joaquin had no intentions to break the toilet, nor did he think it was possible.
    • Goofs
      In the "pacing" scene, as Quell goes from wooden paneled wall to window and back, the second time he goes to he wooden paneling, he breaks out a panel when he pounds it with rage. In the numerous successive shots, the wood panel is restored.
    • Quotes

      Lancaster Dodd: 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.

    • Crazy credits
      After its title, this film has no further opening credits.
    • Connections
      Edited into Conspiracy: The Hollywood Syndicate (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Baton Sparks
      From '48 Reponses to Polymorphia'

      Written by Jonny Greenwood

      Performed by The Aukso Chamber Orchestra

      Courtesy of Unreliable Ltd.

    User reviews583

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    The Master of his fate
    Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" is a puzzling, often bewildering film. Very few films have left me shaken and stirred and still leave me wondering, "What was that all about?" I can't say that I hated the ride. It is, quite simply, a remarkable film from one of America's best filmmakers today. This film is not for everyone, however.

    The film's center plot; the one about self-described nuclear physicist, philosopher and professor Lancaster Dodd and his "organization" "The Cause" - as seen from the point of view from a shell-shocked psychotic drunk Freddie Quell. During the course of the film Lancaster and Freddie bond somewhat with Lancaster progressing his latest works.

    The main performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman are superb, and should warrant both of them Academy Award Nominations for Best Actor. Both of them. Phoenix is literally on fire here, his quirky mannerisms, twitching lips, unforgiving, unsettling eyes and ferocious anger and voice had me on the edge every time I see him on screen. Hoffman also is more subtle, though we see growing anger and rage whenever he feels that his work is being threatened. He can be classy, charismatic, and when threatened, loses all of that and becomes about as desperate as Freddie. Brilliant work by both actors. Watch the scene where Lancaster gets through to Freddie, or the harrowing scene where both of them are in jail cells. Special mention to Amy Adams who, while not really standing out, gives off a peculiar and somewhat sinister aura whenever she's on the screen.

    Anderson's solid screenplay and his concentrated direction bring the goods. There seems to be a pattern about Anderson's last three films including this one. Both "Punch-Drunk Love" and "There Will Be Blood" featured lead characters who are extremely lonely and prone to snap to anger. "The Master" is somewhat a bit of both, where the lonely man can be both psychotic without reason and yet there are scenes which show he is, after all, a man. Some very well written lines ("If you can find peace without looking up to a master, any master...") meshed with some really great cinematography by Mihai Malaimare Jr. that brings nice color tones to the 1950 production design. Complementing all of this is Jonny Greenwood's eerie, dissonant score which makes the movie all the more odd, unsettling, and yet compelling to watch.

    Eventually, both men in the movie are the masters of their own fate, and Anderson his own. It may move some and it may turn away others, but this is a fascinating watch nonetheless. "The Master" is one of 2012's very best films.

    Overall: 91%
    helpful•126
    69
    • dvc5159
    • Sep 27, 2012

    FAQ1

    • What is the score at the start of the movie on the beach?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 21, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Filipino
    • Also known as
      • Người Áp Chế
    • Filming locations
      • Mare Island, Vallejo, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • The Weinstein Company
      • Ghoulardi Film Company
      • Annapurna Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $32,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,377,274
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $736,311
      • Sep 16, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $28,258,060
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 18 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Digital
      • 70 mm 6-Track
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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