One Battle After Another - Good, Bad AND Ugly

Overview

This review dissects Paul Thomas Anderson's controversial action thriller One Battle After Another, exploring its polarizing reception, strong performances, and significant flaws in pacing, character development, and messaging.

Notable Quotes

- The kind of film where I struggled to care about any of the characters because they're such a bunch of useless, irritating [expletive] that I began to wonder who the good guys were even supposed to be. - On the film's unlikable characters.

- The elites of Hollywood descending from their ivory towers to tell [audiences] how they ought to be feeling about the whole thing. - On the film's perceived moralizing tone.

- Neither a glorious triumph nor a laughable disaster, but something a bit more mediocre. - Summing up the film's overall impact.

🎥 The Film's Polarizing Reception

- The movie has sharply divided audiences, with some hailing it as a cinematic masterpiece akin to Sicario and No Country for Old Men, while others dismiss it as pretentious and morally hollow.

- Its political undertones, including critiques of extremism and government, have sparked heated debates, with some accusing it of glorifying domestic terrorism.

🎭 Acting and Direction: The Bright Spots

- The film boasts strong performances from its star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio Del Toro, and Sean Penn.

- DiCaprio's intense portrayal and chemistry with his on-screen daughter were highlights.

- Sean Penn's performance as Colonel Lock Jaw was described as commanding, though bordering on over-the-top.

- Paul Thomas Anderson's direction and cinematography were praised for their creativity, particularly in action sequences and dramatic moments.

⏳ Pacing and Length: A Major Flaw

- At nearly three hours, the film was criticized for being bloated, sluggish, and self-indulgent.

- The reviewer noted that long runtimes are acceptable if the story and characters justify it, but this film failed on both counts.

🌀 Unlikable Characters and Moral Ambiguity

- The characters, including the leads, were described as unlikable and morally ambiguous, making it hard for viewers to invest in their fates.

- The film avoided deeper engagement with the idea that extremism on both sides is harmful, leaving its moral framework feeling incomplete.

📉 Cultural Relevance and Audience Fatigue

- The film's political messaging was seen as out of touch with current events, contributing to its underwhelming box office performance.

- The reviewer suggested that audiences are growing weary of Hollywood's attempts to dictate cultural narratives, leading to culture war fatigue.