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'The Master": A bizarre masterpiece in its own right . . .

Posted by mr grits on September 21, 2012 at 15:49:33:
The first five minutes will have the staid matrons of society squirming and looking for the exit. We see just how messed up Phoenix is in the South Pacific as WW2 draws to a close. Phoenix, with a boat load of other sailors, are transported to a hospital where they learn they have a nervous condition (PTSD) that civilians will not understand. So, "Frank" leaves the hospital and begins his civilian life in a very nice department store as the portrait photographer. His penchant for hitting on the help, drinking his vile concoctions, and torturing his customers soon lead to a rather hasty retreat from the life of retail.

Frank drifts and ends up harvesting cabbages and selling his evil booze to co-workers until one dies. He is chased from the farm and, in desperation, ends up slipping aboard a yacht where he is awakened the next morning by a young woman. She leads him to the cabin of The Master and meets the charismatic Hoffman who has sampled his vile form of alcohol and actually likes it. Hoffman takes an unusual interest in Frank as he sees a really insane person. He begins to "process" Frank and this continues through much of the film. As a result, Frank is taken care of by Hoffman but regarded with suspicion by Adams who is Hoffman's wife.

This is craziness. It explores the cult of personality and how people follow and obey those who are charismatic. Much of the work Hoffman does can't help but be compared to Scientology but it is 1950 and innocence still rules the American mind.

Phoenix is dangerously immersed in his Frank character and I would hate to be around him since he seems to be "method" (Jay Leno Show?). Hoffman is equally powerful in his persona and draws you in as he would anyone in the story. This film stinks of Oscars. If it doesn't happen, something is wrong with the voters.

This is well worth seeing and be prepared for a story that isn't quite your daddy's narrative.

4 outta 5 with a bullet.