Is DiCaprio's new film already a clear Oscar contender?
For the occasional moviegoer, the name Paul Thomas Anderson (PTA) may not ring a bell. At least, his name doesn't come up as often as Christopher Nolan or Quentin Tarantino. But around the turn of the millennium, he made some great films, such as Magnolia and Boogie Nights.
His last film was the critically acclaimed Licorice Pizza from 2021, which took viewers back to the 1970s and was romantic, funny, and playful at the same time. Anderson's latest film, One Battle After Another, will be released in theaters on September 25, and it is already becoming clear that this could be his magnum opus.
Socially Critical And Exciting
The film tells the story of Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio), a failed revolutionary who lives in a state of constant paranoia and survives far away from civilization with his spirited and independent daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti). When his evil arch-enemy, Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), reappears and Willa disappears, the former radical sets out to find her, while father and daughter struggle with the consequences of their past.
According to initial reviews and reports, this film is definitely worth seeing in the cinema. The great characters and acting performances are particularly highlighted. Above all, Sean Penn is said to play the role of the stoic and determined Lockjaw so well that his performance is reminiscent of Christoph Waltz's Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds.
In addition, the story is also highly praised. The film deals with many socially critical issues in today's USA. Migration policy and humanitarian crises are among the topics in focus. But Anderson manages to strike a balance that not many succeed in achieving. With the help of absurdity and humor, the medicine goes down better without the criticism seeming watered down or weakened.
One Battle After Another is more than the sum of its parts. The film fits perfectly into the times, but also tells a timeless story at its core. A film that is packed with ideas without overwhelming the viewer. An original Oscar contender that even convinced Spielberg.
What an insane movie, oh my God. (...) I have not seen a movie that is so tonally a relative to Stanley Kubrick’s ‘Dr. Strangelove
A Movie-Renaissance?
In fact, Paul Thomas Anderson has yet to win an Oscar for any of his films. To date, the director has been nominated for 11 Oscars, but has yet to take home a single one. Even There Will Be Blood fell short at the 2008 Academy Awards, when it was nominated for Best Picture but lost out to No Country for Old Men.
One Battle After Another is not only Oscar-worthy, but also sends a great signal to Hollywood. There is always a huge outcry in the film world. Too much focus on concepts and franchises that feel stale and repetitive.
Films like Weapons and now One Battle After Another show that audiences are hungry for original ideas. So could this year finally herald a turning point, with original material finding its way back into cinemas instead of the same old sequels, remakes, and the like?
Do you still go to the cinema? What are your thoughts on “original vs. franchise”? Feel free to write your comments below!