The MasterMovie Reviews

  • So-so Based on 6,607 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Must Go!
    Written October 21, 2012

    treatment

    by

    Psichiatric treatment for those who didn't understand. To play such thing is excrutiating hard. Incredible that such a thing could be reproduced. How to rebuid the psi of a man.

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written September 23, 2012

    AWFUL MOVIE...GREAT CAST

    A terrific cast in an awful movie!!!!...let's see how many times we can use the F word...too violent...too much sex...just wasn't necessary to the plot.

    I want my money back!!!!!

    • 17 out of 29 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 24, 2012

    3.5/5 Stars

    Mixed bag. Mostly awesome, but the low points are low. A handful of very strange scenes. If for no other reason, see it to watch Phoenix. Incredible character.

    • 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 26, 2012

    Stunning

    I loved "The Master", but wholly recognize that this is not a film for everyone.Joaquin Phoenix gives a performance of a lifetime; I can honestly say I have never seen such an embodiment of character matched on film. The film abounds in strong performances, from Philip Seymour Hoffmann to Amy Adams to Laura Dern to all supporting cast. In this film, the cinematography and score are as integral to the performance as the actors.

    Stunning.

    What makes this not a "Must Go" for everyone? Freddie Quell (played by Phoenix) is a repellant character, matched in amorality by the other leading roles. The plot is often enigmatic, and the film---at two hours 15 minutes---feels even longer, even to one as entranced as myself.
    Nonetheless, for those for whom artistry is a magnetic pull, this is a must film to see.

    • 21 out of 37 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written September 22, 2012

    The Master

    Probably the most all-consuming movie I have seen in a long time. Hoffman and Phoenix were amazing The sound and XD enhanced every scene. The closeups of Hoffman-the way Phoenix used his body to complete his characterization of Freddie made me queasy and anxious,,,,I was there.

    During the sixties and seventies there were many "Masters:" having many of the same personality quirks of the Master. They too passed into anonymity.

    • 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 22, 2012

    The Master

    Interesting film if you correlate the character to L. Ron Hubbard. Very good acting but slow in parts. Would have liked to see more growth on the "Cause", but didn't come through at the end. However, did a good job of capturing the time period.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 29, 2012

    May not be for everyone but some fine performances from the cast...

    by

    First off, it is good to see Joaquin Phoenix back and he did an outstanding job playing this very troubled character in the movie. He physically became so thin for this character that I almost cringed at certain points seeing him so thin. Other than that, I think his performance was fantastic and this goes the same for Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I really think they will receive Oscar nominations for their work in this film. The rest of the cast was great as well. Overall I liked the movie and recommend it for anyone who wants to see some fine acting.

    • 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 22, 2012

    Strange and Fascinating

    by

    Hardly what I expected, as the focus was not so much on "The Cause" (the Scientology-like movement headed by the charismatic P.Seymour Hoffmann as the L. Ron Hubbard like character), but on one erratic sometime follower, played by Joaquin Phoenix. One has to wonder, afterwards, what the point of it was--it was not critique or support of the movement or its leader--maybe something about how hard it is to make your own path (Phoenix being more successful)?

    The movie was briliantly, obsessively shot, with lots of lengthy close-ups. I would say I got a little tired of looking at Phoenix's lopsided face and Hoffmann's sunburnt features. Amy Adams was welcome eye candy from that point of view.

    I think there could be some Oscar nominations for the lead actors and Adams, the cinematography, and the screenplay, by director P.T. Anderson (intense dialiogue throughout). A top 10 movie that may not win many Oscars, though a serious effort, to be sure.

    Rated "R", deservedly!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 21, 2012

    Excellent Performances - The Plot Drags On And On And On

    moviegoers not fans of indie or art house flicks will rate this film a 2 or 3. that said, all of the performances were stellar...spot on. the character development was slow, but complete for the most part. the plot, however, drags on and on and on. you have to commit to these performances, not because of the acting, but because the story progresses so slowly. if you can bear to wait out the narrative and it's lack of a definitive climax, it will be some of the most enjoyable acting you've seen in a while. i loved it, but i have a feeling i will have little company...

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written September 21, 2012

    The Master of what?

    Let me state that I love PTA. Have absolutely loved all his movies and was hoping to love this one too. It was nicely shot but so overacted it was hard to believe. I felt like I was watching a mockumentary of a method acting class. The music by Johnny Greenwood was also overwrought and distracting. Huge Disappoinment

    • 10 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 24, 2012

    Not sure?!?

    by b08lmg

    There are so many nuances and the material is so rich that I believe I may have to see it again to form an opinion.
    There are definite scenes that will stay with you!

    • 11 out of 18 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 30, 2012

    Masterful acting in The Master

    Seriously walked out of the movie saying the acting was great, but do not know what to say about the movie itself. Surprisingly, my daughter on the west coast responded to my request for her opinion of the movie with my exact words.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written September 23, 2012

    Horrible & Boring

    All week I waited for this movie, and was hugely disappointed when I saw it yesterday afternoon. Many people walked out after an hour, and I kept hanging in there to see if there would be an insightful moment that would redeem the film; which of course, never happened. Why didn't they explore WHY these characters were the way they were and maybe that would explain why they were drawn to each other. A lot just didn't make ANY sense. I feel like I lost 2.5 hours of my life ... and I want my money back.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written October 7, 2012

    waste of money!

    No doubt these actors are capable but this movie is not worth the money. We are wondering what was the point of the movie. The main actor (Phoenix) is not an actor that should ever play any sex scenes. Close ups are not kind to his face. Save your money at the theater and renting this garbage later on. Hollywood should be penalized for selling crap like this as a movie. Its movie's like this that make me feel that movie theaters should have to refund your ticket price if you walk out before the end of the movie.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written October 6, 2012

    Promise unfulfilled

    Joaquim Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman were, as expected, brilliant in their roles. However, I found myself fidgeting in my seat and praying for the movie to end. In truth, the 2+ hours felt a bit like torture... Sadly so, as I have great admiration for the work of all involved.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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The Master Movie Reviews + Ratings

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So-so
6,607 fan reviews

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IanBenjamin11 Movie updates. Finally watched "The Master." Joaquin and PSH were great, of course. Amy Adams was nothing special. Bizarre storyline.

9 hours ago.

EgyptsLegacy345 So i finally saw the Lincoln movie....how cute the people that thought they was the master race decided the fate of black people.

15 hours ago.

AllamaMurray The Master was a good movie. I recommend it. Unless like 27 Dresses is more of your thing.

1 days ago.

Commander313 who was the killer in the friday the 13th movie? ms morgan believe was her name jason's mother who doesn't know that who is the master of

1 days ago.

magnott You thought the movie inception was crazy? Read your Bible, Jesus is the master at inception. #MindBlown #again #messagewithinamessage

1 days ago.

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The Frontrunners - Amy Adams The Frontrunners - Amy Adams Fandango's Chief Correspondent Dave Karger interviews Amy Adams about her film 'The Master' in this episode of 'The Frontrunners.' More Films on Fandango's Awards Watch An inside look at Hollywood's race to the Oscars!