The MasterMovie Reviews

  • So-so Based on 6,606 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Oh No!
    Written September 22, 2012

    3 Great Actors Not Worth Seeing This Time

    by joec3rdsw

    Three excellent performances in a disturbing movie. Several couples got up mid way and left the film, wish I had joined them. I respect all three actors who are featured in this film but I now know I cannot trust them to choose a film that respects their fans. The degree of nudity is just over the top. The party scene in the home where every single female regardless of age becomes naked was gratuitous and offensive. I get the concept, the character has an obsession with sex, but come on show a little creativity here! There were also many scenes that just seemed to be thrown in that did not flow with the story and the ending only adds to the feeling of what a profound waste of two and half hours.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written September 23, 2012

    The Master

    by Abellmore

    The cast was excellent and the acting was above average - at times provocative, intense, and very believable. Unfortunately, the character and plot development felt disjointed and the movie was extraordinarily LONG. I left the movie twice for concessions and really didn't miss a thing. While some scenes were gripping, overall, the movie was a sleeper.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written October 11, 2012

    CONFUSING - right from the beginning

    by movieguy47

    Confusing, muddled, and strange. I'm not sure we were watching a movie about the start of a Scientology like cult, the power hungry cult leader who can capture his followers with some sly logic mixed with his chrisma or the metally deranged mind of a young man who desparately wants to belong.
    The audience all let out a collective groan at the end when the lights came up and the credits began to roll. Not because they wanted it to continue, but because they were thrilled it was over. Some audience member were blaming there partner for recommending the film and other were heard suggesting that "you owe me" after enduring this one.
    Yes the actors are good, but the story leads nowhere, the characters don't change or evolve and the ability to know when it's a dream, delusion, or reality escaped me.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written September 30, 2012

    Awful!

    by mr.doover

    After all the ballyhoo reviews of this movie, we were expecting something wonderful. Ha ha! Joaquin Phoenix is good in his role, but this movie is way too long, there's no plot and it is impossible to care about any of the characters. We are big Phillip Seymour Hoffman fans, but this was the worst movie we've seen in a very long time. Instead of talking about the movie plot afterwards, we compared it to the other bad movies we've seen in the last year or so. Skip it. Wish we had.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written September 30, 2012

    THE MASTER WILL MAKE YOU THINK

    by CitizenBill

    What was this movie about? You tell me. I have lots of ideas but I don't want to spoil it for you. All I can say is, the movie is intense. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix are crazy good. The film is reminiscent of the lives of Jim Jones, Marshall Applewhite and Elmer Gantry. Google them. Don't encourage your teenage children to see The Master, unless they're precocious.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 27, 2012

    A PAINFUL JOURNEY DEPICTING THE HEALING OR DESTRUCTIVE POWERS OF A CULT. ACADEMY AWARD PERFORMANCES BY JOAQUIN PHOENIX AND PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN.

    by Peneflix

    Masterful, brilliant performances imbue this torturous saga of self-discovery; a struggle to chastise demons, doubts, destroying one's mental, psychological, physical path to health and inner peace...

    Joaquin Phoenix, in a role, likely never to be repeated, is "Freddie Quell" suffering from post-traumatic?stress-disorder, largely undiagnosed after World War II; a veteran of the Pacific front, he is a misfit, volatile, alcoholic, working as a department store photographer in 1950. Phoenix in his every gesture, smile, walk is frightening, illuminating in depicting Freddie's paranoia and combustibility; he shrinks, getting thinner, skeletal as as his psychosis deepens throughout the film...

    THREE STARS & 1/2 STARS!!!

    ***For full review please visit peneflix(dot)com!!!

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written October 4, 2012

    P.T. Anderson's latest opus is not for everyone.

    by jzembower

    This is a film for audiences who want something challenging and unconventional. It raises more questions than answers them. Some conservative viewers will be put off by the nudity. But whether you love it or hate it, it's a technical masterpiece and some of the best acting you will see all year. It's long, so prepare yourself. If you want easy entertainment, this isn't for you! I however, just about loved it.

    End of warning.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written October 9, 2012

    The Master

    by kknunn

    Another great Paul Thomas Anderson film. I think the main aspect of the film that got me was its believability. Philip Seymour Hoffman put in another amazing performance, as well as Amy Adams and Laura Dern. But I think Joaquin Phoenix stole the show with one of the most powerful performances I've seen in quite some time. The Master is a film definitely worth another viewing. Its subtleties and nuances seem to grow on the observant viewer for quite some time after watching. I don't know if it is a film for everyone but it definitely leaves its mark.

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

    Pointless

    by sjcarlon11

    This movies' preview is quite misleading. Not sure why any self-respecting actor or actress would star in a movie like this. Maybe they secretly want to be porn stars! Don't waste your money on this one, unless you like movies with no plot and lots of nudity.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written September 24, 2012

    Not a Movie, But A Therapy Session

    by tng59

    I was disappointed by Paul Thomas Anderson's latest offering perhaps because his last film, "There Will Be Blood" was so good. It was one of the best films I had ever seen, so "The Master" had alot to live up to. It did not even come close. I can't put my finger on why, but I left the theatre feeling as though I had been psychologically abused. It's Freudian undercurrent made me uncomfortable. Perhaps it dreged up some unconcious muck that I would rather have left alone. Maybe that's what Mr. Anderson was trying to do, but I feel it would have been better left for the analyst's couch. The most disturbing scene was of a get together at "The Master's" home, when suddenly, in a straight cut, all the women are naked. The scene continues for quite a while and all the now naked females seem oblivious that they are nothing but sex objects to the men. And if they were aware, they did not seem to care. The scene made me acutely aware of my own sexist atitudes and it was an unpleasant feeling

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written September 30, 2012

    The Master = Disaster

    by

    Wow, where do I begin. Went to see this movie thinking that two good sometimes great actors and a good sometimes great writer/director would hit. WRONG!!! This movie had no point...what was the story...the goal???? ANSWER? Who knows? Hoffman was a charismatic snake oil salesman i.e. cult leader. What happens? he gets ran out of NY, Philly, AZ, and I guess ends up in England. Phoenix is some kind of alcoholic psychotic (from the war? nah he looked like he made it through that ok making booze of out fuel and paint thinner and f***ing a woman made of sand...pathetic) he's just screwed up naturally. Does he find religion? Does his life change (for better or worse?) Nope he just drags his broke a$$ to England then doens't stay with "The Master" and will be his sworn enemy in "the next life".

    When the movie ended the 9 people in the the theate ( 1 guy had already gotten up and left) couldn't even tell if it was over.....what a waste. Thank god I went and saw Looper after...

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written September 22, 2012

    The master

    by Kkatherine

    I knew the actors involved with deliver Oscar worthy performances, but I found watching this film slow torture. This story of lost souls drawn to this cult was sad, pathetic, and disturbing, The plot was unclear and inconclusive .
    I haven't walked out on a film in years, but came close to doing so last night!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written October 8, 2012

    The emperor has no clothes. Don't go just to walk out.

    by passer28863

    You see the actors and go great. You see the reviews about how you have to watch it several times to really appreciate it and you think maybe. Then you watch the first thirty minutes with people walking out and it is easy to join them. Don't waste those 30 minutes.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written September 29, 2012

    2 hours I'll never get back!

    by XMrsPhilli

    While I had high hopes for this film with Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams, I should have known that the addition of Mr. Phoenix would make it unbearable. While I understood the message of the film, I am not sure it couldn't have been presented in a better fashion. I wouldn't waste time even watching this on video.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written September 23, 2012

    Like Forrest Gump...if Forrest was an extreme danger to himself & others. And 45 mins too long.

    by

    Seriously, amazing acting by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams. Oscar worthy if not Oscar sealed performances. It was also beautiful to watch in many scenes with credit to the cinematographer. Plus, you'll learn new ways to create alcoholic beverages albeit cringe worthy.

    BUT, it dragged on the last 45 minutes and forced my wife & I to roll our eyes towards the end. Just way too long for it's own good. Many scenes should have been added to the deleted scenes reel. Easily.

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

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heyimcamcook Just watched The Master. Not sure if I’ve ever walked away from a movie understanding this little of what I just watched.

1 days ago.

pemartinezmatos Saw #TheMaster: Paul Thomas Anderson en estado puro. Trama compleja y de lectura difícil, toca muchos temas. No cuenta nada y lo cuenta todo

1 days ago.

jayjohero The movie the master was so weird lol Gotta finish the movie soon

1 days ago.

oliverrthornton Saw #gatsby yesterday. Maybe not the film the critics hoped for but full of incredibly iconic imagery. Lurhmann is the master of excess.

1 days ago.

jdsarge91 Re-watched PTA's The Master. Still my favorite film of 2012 by a long shot and one of the most beautiful films ever made.

2 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!