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      The Master

      R Released Sep 14, 2012 2 hr. 16 min. Drama List
      85% 259 Reviews Tomatometer 62% 50,000+ Ratings Audience Score Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) is a troubled, boozy drifter struggling with the trauma of World War II and whatever inner demons ruled his life before that. On a fateful night in 1950, Freddie boards a passing boat and meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the charismatic leader of a religious movement called the Cause. Freddie tries hard to adhere to Dodd's weird teachings and forms a close bond with his mentor, even as other members of Dodd's inner circle see him as a threat. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Nov 29 Buy Now

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      The Master

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      Critics Consensus

      Smart and solidly engrossing, The Master extends Paul Thomas Anderson's winning streak of challenging films for serious audiences.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Aender S Awesome performance by Joaquin Phoenix and also by Philip Seymour Hoffman, but it's just their acting that elevate this film. Otherwise it's oddly paced. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/11/24 Full Review Lena T Joaquin Phoenix' performance is amazing and really drew me in for the first half of the movie, but it stretch out for way too long and I just wanted it to be over about half-way through it. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/11/24 Full Review Alec C Sometimes to find purpose in your life is to embrace yourself or find yourself a master! Freddy Quell is a troubled veteran who is drawn into The Cause by the charismatic Lancaster Dodd, which sparks an invigorating and disturbing connection between the two of them. In the context, it's hard to tell who's being genuine or making things up, making it an intense analysis of the human psyche and an intriguing story! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/24 Full Review Audience Member I didn’t really get the ending but phoenix and hoffman were fun to watch. A-list cast Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Scott S There were several great performances in this movie, but it seems as if they struggled to come up with a suitable ending for it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review Daniel H characters feel less known at the end than they were at the beginning. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      This movie is featured in the following articles.

      Lorene Scafaria’s Five Favorite Films Now Streaming: Divergent, The Master, Manhunter, and More Weekly Ketchup: RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman 1967-2014

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      Critics Reviews

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      J. Hoberman ARTINFO.com The main thing is that The Master is so unlike anything else in its seriousness and so admirable in its vitality that one has to support it. Feb 25, 2019 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator It is all so enigmatic and underwritten I felt rather shut out. A 'challenging' film is one thing, but one that actually slams the door in your face is quite another, as well as rude. Sep 1, 2018 Full Review Nick Pinkerton Sight & Sound Towering standalone moments all, they are certainly impressive when first encountered, though they wobble perilously the longer one looks at them...It isn't a great film - but it has a great film rattling around inside it. Apr 9, 2018 Full Review Jennifer Bisset CNET The 2012 character drama, dealing with a world recovering from World War II, is a poetic epic. Apr 20, 2023 Full Review Erick Estrada Cinegarage Tremendously enigmatic. [Full review in Spanish] Apr 5, 2023 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review There are moments where the visual textures and unbelievable performances leave us to percolate in Anderson’s world, and for that instant, we forget all else as sweeping camera movements pull us along, and Greenwood’s score sends goosebumps down our arms. Rated: 4/4 Sep 23, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) is a troubled, boozy drifter struggling with the trauma of World War II and whatever inner demons ruled his life before that. On a fateful night in 1950, Freddie boards a passing boat and meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the charismatic leader of a religious movement called the Cause. Freddie tries hard to adhere to Dodd's weird teachings and forms a close bond with his mentor, even as other members of Dodd's inner circle see him as a threat.
      Director
      Paul Thomas Anderson
      Executive Producer
      Adam Somner, Ted Schipper
      Screenwriter
      Paul Thomas Anderson
      Distributor
      Weinstein Co.
      Production Co
      Joanne Sellar, Annapurna Pictures, Ghoulardi Film Company
      Rating
      R (Language|Graphic Nudity|Sexual Content)
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Sep 14, 2012, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jul 12, 2014
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $16.2M
      Sound Mix
      Datasat, Dolby Digital
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