One Battle After Another
One Battle After Another
Written & Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
We are so freaking back baby. Actually no, we're way past Being Back. The new political thriller-action comedy-family drama from one of the greatest filmmakers working today, Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood, Licorice Pizza) has pushed cinema into a bold exciting fearless place. Something new and fresh. ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER is *the* definitive film of our modern time. I thought people were exaggerating too, until I saw it for myself.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor are part of the revolutionary group the French 75. They and other members break into immigration camps rescuing prisoners, blow up government buildings, cause disruption to the evils being perpetrated by our elected officials. One of these immigration breakouts has them cross Sean Penn's brutal military captain setting into motion a sprawling epic.
It's 16 years later in the movie and "not much has changed" we hear in voice over, except now Leo is raising a rebellious teenage daughter of his own. Evil Sean Penn kidnaps her and the chase is on. Running nearly three hours and never once did I feel the length or even checked the time. It's a masherclass in pacing, I felt myself nearly breathless for most of it.
In a career full of best of performances, this is late career Peak Leo. Stoned, paranoid but completely capable he is hilarious and heartbreaking. Everyone here is at the very top of their game, especially Sean Penn who has always scared me and somehow taps into whole new levels of skin-crawling rage insanity. Shout-out to my boy Benicio Del Toro who (surprise surprise) steals every scene he's in.
The words ICE/MAGA/ANTIFA etc. are never uttered, a supreme choice that would date this in a way that doesn't need to. It's the epitome of Showing Not Telling. Even with the subject matter it's still a crackling comedy, bust out your gut laughs here. You can't really tell from the trailers just what this picture actually is!
It's also one of the most gorgeous looking of the year, with some shots that almost had me falling into the screen. Johnny Greenwood of RADIOHEAD composed a score here that is its own character. The music is equally beautiful and haunting, always propelling the story forward.
I can't stop thinking about One Battle After Another. Through the doom and gloom, it's hopeful and loving. It's the realest thing you'll see this year.
☆☆☆☆ out of 4
