The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 2 - 'There Will Be Blood’ - The Big Picture Recap

Podcast: The Big Picture

Published: 2025-12-26

Duration: 52 minutes

Summary

'There Will Be Blood' is celebrated for its exploration of greed and ambition, with Daniel Day-Lewis's performance hailed as the best of the century. The film, though a critical success, lost major Oscars to 'No Country For Old Men.'

What Happened

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins continue their exploration of the 25 best movies of the 21st century, placing Paul Thomas Anderson's 'There Will Be Blood' at number two. They describe the film as a profound portrayal of greed and ambition, driven by Daniel Day-Lewis's iconic performance as Daniel Plainview, an oil prospector whose relentless pursuit of wealth is both mesmerizing and terrifying.

The film, shot by Robert Elswit and scored by Johnny Greenwood, was a modest financial success, earning $76 million against a $25 million budget. Despite its achievements, it lost several major categories at the 2008 Academy Awards to 'No Country For Old Men,' a fact Sean and Amanda reflect on, noting the rivalry between these two cinematic giants.

A key aspect of the film's production involved Paul Dano, who was initially cast for a minor role but ended up portraying dual characters after a casting change. His performance, however, received mixed reviews, including criticism from Quentin Tarantino, who deemed it the film's weakest element.

The episode delves into how 'There Will Be Blood' captures themes of capitalism, ambition, and the intersection of industry and religion. Daniel Day-Lewis's portrayal of Plainview is described as an embodiment of brute force and greed, with one of the film's lines, 'I Drink Your Milkshake,' becoming an iconic meme derived from a real-life scandal.

Sean and Amanda compare the film's production design and masculine themes to Stanley Kubrick's 'Barry Lyndon.' They also emphasize the film's place in cinematic history, noting its top rankings in various lists, including Rolling Stone's top 100 movies of the 21st century.

Paul Thomas Anderson's personal connection to the film is highlighted, as it draws inspiration from classic films like 'Treasure of the Sierra Madre.' The hosts argue that 'There Will Be Blood' feels like an intimate engagement with America's historical and cinematic past, despite its epic scale.

Key Insights