I saw this in theaters one month ago. It is the best reviewed movie of the year and of director Paul Thomas Anderson’s career. As a film, it certainly tops all of his previous work, including There Will Be Blood. I think it should be seen primarily as a film meant to entertain as an action comedy thriller. But there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the politics in the film, whether of the politics of the characters or the film itself (if it embraces any particular perspective). What has brought this on is the film’s portrayal of the “revolutionaries” that go by the name of the French75, mostly in the first 30 minutes of the film. They are almost always taken to be far leftists. Opposed to them are the authorities tracking them down but there are also other antagonists at work in the film, notably the Christmas Adventurers Club, a far right white supremacist secret society. I think people can read this as a leftist film by virtue of this juxtaposition of the sides presented here. But almost no one in this really comes off in positive light, and it really gives a centrist liberal vibe. Maybe PTA is really a leftist at heart and criticizing certain leftist approaches. If you have seen this movie, I want to hear your thoughts.
Gives Baudrillard’s The…
Gives Baudrillard’s The Matrix is a film The Matrix would produce vibes.
Thanks for directing us to …
Thanks for directing us to There Will Be Blood! Can't comment on One Battle After Another. Haven't seen it. Good title.
True artists do not espouse political ideology but negate all ideology.
For Baudrillard it was consumption rather than production that was the main driver of capitalist society. So says the non-producer consumer, the innovator of ideology of no use value.
https://www.euronews.com…
https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/07/31/leonardo-dicaprio-faces-backlash-for-co-financing-luxury-hotel-in-israel
“But then if you a liar liar, pants on fire, wolf crier, property developer in Haifa, I'm gon know it when I play it“.
He'd get a better return on…
He'd get a better return on his investment putting his capital into the redevelopment of Gaza City, but he never did take any risks as an actor.