Carl Roberts 
“Paul Thomas Anderson has created an American classic with One Battle After Another. It is an enjoyable, astoundingly great movie.”
Paul Thomas Anderson returns to our screens with his latest movie, One Battle After Another. Inspired by the 1990 novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti, and follows an ex-revolutionary who must rescue his daughter from a corrupt military official. Anderson has adapted the novel for the screen and also produces the film alongside Adam Somner and Sara Murphy. With DiCaprio and Penn leading the cast, you would automatically think that the film is a heavyweight drama that takes a lot of patience to get through. In a way, you’d be right. But not in the way you’d think. Why? Because Anderson’s latest effort will go down as a bona fide classic.
PREMISE
When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunites to rescue one of their own’s daughter.
THOUGHTS
This could become one of the Oscar contenders at next Year’s Academy Awards. It really is that good. With DiCaprio and Penn in the leads, you’d be mistaken for thinking this is all about them. It isn’t. They are the main cogs in a movie machine that depends on every cast member to do their part to keep it running. One cog doesn’t function; the machine could fail. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen here. The cast all pull together to deliver a film that may not appeal to everyone, but stands out as a beacon of superb storytelling, acting prowess, and enjoyment.
LEONARDO DICAPRIO
DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson / “Ghetto” Pat Calhoun, a washed-up former member of a revolutionary group known as the French 75, who devises explosives. After an auspicious opening, the actor plays Bob as a washed-up, marajuana addicted slob. It is brilliant to see the actor play his character for laughs for the most part. Bob is paranoid, seeing things that aren’t there, seeing situations that don’t exist. Or at least he thinks he does. Of course, the net is closing in on him and his former comrades, with Penn’s character on a seemingly personal vendetta to catch or kill him. The reasons for this permeate the film, giving it a wonderfully dark but also amusing touch throughout. By the climax, Bob goes all out, returning to his violent past. DiCaprio is in fine form here, giving Bob an often hilarious but unspoken side.
SEAN PENN
Sean Penn plays Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, a major nemesis of the French 75. Penn is a fine, dramatic actor and director. Here, he also shows his comedic side at times. Lockjaw’s vendetta against Bob and his comrades begins at the very start of the film when the French 75 storm an immigration detention centre to free the people being held there. Bob’s soon-to-be girlfriend, Perfidia (Teyana Taylor in an all too brief but winning role), humiliates Lockjaw in a darkly humorous way that will have the audience giggling nervously at first. Lockjaw can’t take this humiliation lying down and eventually catches up with Perfidia, forcing her into an inappropriate sexual encounter. This is an important plot point that comes into play throughout and especially around the three-quarters point of the film.
Lockjaw is eventually invited to join the Christmas Adventurers Club, a powerful secret society of white supremacists. Questioning him about his sexual encounters (i.e has he ever had any kind of sexual relations with a non-white woman), Lockjaw lies, claiming he hasn’t. With this kind of lie hanging over him, Lockjaw must not only take down Bob, but also his mixed-race daughter, Willa Ferguson / Charlene Calhoun (an outstanding performance from Chase Infiniti). The reason for his relentless pursuit of Willa becomes all too clear, leading to a tense encounter between the pair later in the film. Penn gives what surely must be an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor here. While he and DiCaprio meet only once and very briefly, of the pair, it is Penn who gives the better performance.
BENICIO DEL TORO AND REGINA HALL
Benicio Del Toro, despite being in a supporting role, almost steals the film from everyone. His performance as Sergio St. Carlos, Willa’s sensei and a leader of the immigrant community in Baktan Cross, is superbly hilarious and winning. His comedic timing here is impeccable. We even find ourselves thinking that Sergio might not be fully sane, despite his actions to aid the immigrants, he is hiding from the authorities. Every time we encounter him, he seems laid back, charming and affable. In reality, he is cunning, planning for any eventuality in case it befalls him. Del Toro is wonderful here in a role, while supporting the main cast, could so easily have led the film.
Regina Hall plays Deandra, a member of the French 75. It is she who becomes a major part of Bob and Willa’s lives, returning from a self-imposed exile to play a vital role in what’s to come. Never really leaving her life as a revolutionary behind, Deandra returns at the exact time she needs to, taking Willa into her protection as Lockjaw closes in. She also appears to be the most caring person in the film, genuinely concerned for Willa’s safety. As Deandra closes in on her fate unexpectedly, we find ourselves caring for her, a reversal from our feelings towards her earlier in the film. Regina Hall brings a more down-to-earth presence to the proceedings, which is another standout in the movie.
DIRECTION AND WRITING
Paul Thomas Anderson, pulling triple duty as director, writer and producer, has crafted what is undoubtedly going to be regarded as a classic of the genre. His keen eye and sense of style fit the narrative and the dilemmas the film contains expertly. Almost no shot is wasted here; it has us hooked and enthralled throughout. Anderson genuinely makes us care for most of these characters, to hope they manage to survive the onrushing storm of Lockjaw and his vendetta.
To his credit, Anderson doesn’t tell us everyone’s fate. It is up to us to decide what has happened to some of the characters after the credits have finished rolling. Did they survive? Did they manage to escape? And if so, where are they now? These questions are not all answered, giving the film a nice, mysterious feel. By the climax, Anderson gives the film a feeling of hope and satisfaction. Coupled with his amazing direction, the film shines through.
VERDICT
Paul Thomas Anderson has created an American classic with One Battle After Another. It is an enjoyable, astoundingly great movie. And one which i wouldn’t be surprised is nominated at next year’s Academy Awards quite heavilly. It mixture of action, drama, moral questioning and comedy resonate throughout. It also throws into the mix several subjects that we find ourselves constanly discussing at the moment. The ones of sexual harrasment and the never-ending debate over immigration and every countries policies and general feeling towards it. On the former, it is handled in a rather unique way. Yes, the subject is disturbing, but it is handled with comedy rather than have a heavy doom-laden cloud. It also shows that women can give as good as they get when this subject is broached.
The latter subject is handled deftly too. While it is primarily featured in the beginning of the film, later on, we come across it once again. For many yeras, we have seen or heard about these underground railroads that aid illegals coming to the American shores. We also, sadly, hear about the way these people are treated in detention camps, and the general view of them by those in authority. Again, the film delves into this subject with warmth, grace and humour instead of using a heavy boot to slam the points home. It is done expertly, by someone who cares about these issues.
THE CONCLUSION
By the time the film ends, everything is almost all as we hope it should be, tied up in a pretty satisfactory way. Some elements are still left open, but these are for the audience to decide on. The conclusion of the film allows us a feeling of hope, allowing us to see a father who no longer has to fear for his child and can sit back and watch her spread her wings in whatever way she sees fit. It allows us a wry smile as we discover in which direction she decides to go. Consolidating everything we have seen during the past 162 minutes, we can leave the cinema with a feeling of genuine contentment. And with the knowledge that we have just been partial to a new and genuine American classic movie. A possibly richly rewarded one at that. Highly recommended.
One Battle After Another is in cinemas now, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
