Committed DiCaprio, Penn, Teyana Taylor and Del Toro battle freedom and fear in Paul Thomas Anderson’s riveting revolutionary rescue thriller relevant now. And it’s a love story with Perfidia Beverly Hills (Taylor), a woman so driven but volcanic you can’t take your eyes off the screen. But that goes for every other character in this film, and Writer/Director Thomas Anderson who keeps this demanding 2 hour and 40 minute long project on the move with a jump start.
The first 15 minutes is a violent, action-packed bank robbery laced with raunchy comedy to set the mood before you see the opening title and, as the title suggests, it really is a series of battles putting all the characters in harms way. It is loosely inspired, but takes off on the book “Vineland” by Thomas Pynchon.
Here are just a few of the buzzy topics dealt with in this film. They include immigration, revolution, war, the deep state, interracial relationships, White Supremacy, family relationships, sex, motherhood, protection, rescue, drugs, power, and control. And all of it includes values or lack thereof. Jonny Greenwood enhances moods and tension-building in scenes adding some eerie plucking of piano keys and percussion.
You can see some of Paul Thomas Anderson’s past themes in Boogie Nights, Magnolia, The Master in this film, but here, he puts it all together in one continuous epic escapade. DiCaprio is a likable curmudgeon. As Bob Ferguson, he’s a burned out, paranoid revolutionary who stays high as a kite. We first see him as the explosives expert of the The French 75, blowing up dangerous situations to save immigrants and fellow revolutionaries. His partner in love, sex and life is the militant Perfidia who will do anything to keep the revolution going.
In the first third of the film, Perfidia is pressed to identify her revolutionary cohorts by Colonel Lockjaw, (Sean Penn with a crazy haircut). He’s the most disgusting and horny military a**hole on the planet. She does what she has to, to steer Lockjaw away to protect Bob and their buddies. Penn does an amazing job, never losing focus, playing Lockjaw as a mean, disturbed guy you hate. He’s so rigid in more ways than one.
Perfidia and Bob are dedicated to each other, excited when she gets pregnant and becoming parents of a baby girl. Still continuing reckless revolutionary action, Perfidia carries on, doing what she loves best. Shooting guns, to her, is the most “fun,” but also wreaking havoc in every situation, even when the machinations executing a bank robbery go sideways. That’s when Bob becomes a single parent to their daughter obstinately trains Willa with passwords and signals to be aware and in touch all the time.
The breakout role in this film is filled remarkably well by Chase Infiniti who you may have seen in TV’s Presumed Innocent. Even when she has no lines, you can see the raw emotion on her face and wheels turning strategizing her next moves. Willa is a budding badass, like her Mom. She’s a 16-year-old taking martial arts from her Sensei Sergio St. Carlos (Benicio Del Toro). His turn in this film is provide some comedy with quick quips at crucial junctures. Del Toro plays calm, cool yet lethal, with quiet strength. When all Hell is breaking loose, he’s the guy who helps panic stricken Bob get through each battle trying to keep Willa safe. But whenever, Bob can’t reach Willa, he goes nuts.
There is always a cloud of smoke around Bob’s head and paranoia in everything he does. DiCaprio, as Bob, knows no limits playing the crazed and manic, always high-as-a-kite character he embodies in this film. The scenes when he thinks Willa might be in danger, DiCaprio goes ballistic, in a frenzy trying to remember the passwords from his past with the French 75 so he can get help. You have to empathize with his extreme desperation to find Willa.
The film builds to a remarkably staged series of scenes following cars chase up, down and around on hilly desert 2-lane roads. It is meticulously shot by Cinematographer Michael Bauman and Anderson himself with each curve and hill creating even more nerve-wracking tension. These are chase scenes that are so uniquely visualized. You may find yourself searching for the gas pedal or brake with your feet driving along and squirming in your seat. This segment of the film is so well-conceptualized. You’d think that after 2 hours things might wrap up, but you’ll keep watching, mesmerized.
Frantic DiCaprio, pent-up Penn, fearless Taylor and boundless Infiniti are perfectly cast in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film, so relevant in some way, every day.
Warner Brothers 2 Hours 41 Minutes R
Related posts:
Battle of the Sexes
Knives Out Writer/Director Rian Johnson talks about having the whole cast on the set
THE CAMPERS AT THE SUNDANCE PREMIERE OF CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THE FILM.
Ford v Ferrari Stunt Coordinator, Robert Nagle
Licorice Pizza
Interview with Waves stars Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Taylor Russell and Writer/Director Trey Edward Shults talking teen angst, family and sound design.
