The MasterMovie Reviews


  • So-so Based on 6,646 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • So-so
    Written September 24, 2012

    What was the point?

    by shadowmarten

    The acting, especially Seymour's and Phoenix's, was very good. However, the movie seemed to lack direction. It got an "A" review here from the Tampa Times which compared it to Scientology-a group with whom the Times have had a continuing exposé. However, whether or not this movie was to be a camouflaged knock at the religious group, it meandered without direction. Watch it when it comes to cable.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written October 1, 2012

    The Master

    by frinitemoviegoer11

    Although the actors portrayed their characters impeccably (and I know that's all they will want to hear), it was the weirdest, sickest, twisted, and most embarrassing movies I have ever seen. Almost walked out more than once, but unfortunately did not - kept thinking it would get better. A few claps at the end because they were glad it was OVER! Everyone leaving the theater all had the same look on their faces - one of stunned and disgusted. Everyone leaving shaking their heads / heads down / no eye contact / fast walks to their cars to try and get away from the filth. Quickly driving home to jump in the shower to try and make the images wash out of our brains. Am embarrassed to tell anyone I saw this movie. Certainly not something I would want my children to see even though they are in their 20's. HOW does anyone think this is entertainment? WASTE of $$$, but I bet it will get award nominations! That's usually how that goes.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written September 24, 2012

    Snoozefest

    by maxibenson

    Slow, then slower then slower again. I have no idea what this was about, and I usually love films like this. Running time is 2+ hrs - every scene could have been a minute or so shorter. The film is basically a montage of closeups.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written September 24, 2012

    P.T. Anderson is still good at making movies, it turns out.

    by bigbobbyblarr

    This movie is another gem in P.T. Anderson's string of excellent films! Extremely deliberate, and often uncomfortable, The Master managed to keep me riveted the whole time, largely due to Phoenix's outstanding and unpredictable performance. If you like P.T. Anderson's work, definitely go, but if you are looking for happy endings, simple narrative, or kid-friendly material, this probably isn't the movie for you.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written October 7, 2012

    Brilliant and Powerful

    by Amittai

    A brilliant and powerful film, with superb acting and a great script. Very interesting opportunity to reflect upon the appeal and lasting effects of mass movements in the 20th century, whose reverberations we feel today. Characters are fascinating.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written September 23, 2012

    Masterful Acting

    by kristenhellr

    I wouldn't be surprised if both Phoenix and Hoffman are nominated for Oscars... but I feel Joaquin Phoenix was remarkable. He makes his simple yet quirky character so believable while also letting us catch glimpses of his emotional complexity. The director's frequent close ups of Phoenix's face constantly drew me in. It was amazing to see his feelings quickly flit across his face, sometimes linger briefly, then suddenly his visage return to a more light and unconcerned (?) mood. True, the movie is hard to follow at times. It helped me to know that it was loosely modeled on the the story of Ron Hubbard and Dyanitics. This is not a movie for your typical young movie-goer...too thoughtful and way to slow. I will be thinking about it for some time, interesting food for thought.

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

    Hi-brow Wonder without a story line

    by MovieManof49

    The critics think this movie is "masterful," and I see their points -- the acting is astonishing, the recreation of 1950 perfect, and the atmosphere consistently strange and uneasy -- but there's no forward motion to the plot, and I was left very unsatisfied at the end. It's frustrating when you leave a movie wondering what it was about, and have to read the reviews even to understand what the director was trying to do. That said, the acting may be worth the price of admission, though I'm not sure it's worth 135 minutes....

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

    The Master-A clear wast of money and time

    by Merchant of Venice-44

    Difficult to follow a plot or story line. Acting was decent but the scene flow left a lot to be desired. Some of the psychiatric sessions were too long and didn't need to be so for effectiveness. A lot of dwell on faces and eye contact to give a dramatic effect. It fell way short of my expectations for a "decent" movie. Wait for it on Netflix if you are curious. Don't wast the money

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

    Excellent story, unique, keeps you guessing, loved it

    by

    What a movie! Joaquin Phoenix, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams give spectacular performances. Joaquin plays Freddy, an alchoholic and former seaman who by sheer randomness (he hops onto a yacht) meets up with the charismatic 'master' a self-proclaimed guru (Hoffman). Not a dull moment in this film. I highly recommend it. Not for the sexually squeemish. (there's strong adult content/nudity)

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

    The Master

    by Jphil1

    This movie is not good. The acting is ok but the storyline and content is bad. There were people that walked out 1/2 hour into the movie. After the movie a group formed outside the theater talking about how the movie was bad and a waste of 2 hours. I have never seen that before. I would wait til the DVD if you really want to see this movie.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written September 24, 2012

    The Master

    by RGSmovielover

    This movie was awful. The lead actors are all amazing, wonderful at their craft, but I ask myself..."How did they decide to act in this poorly written movie?" Do not waste your money.

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

    Horrendous

    by sfgirl777

    While some people will think good acting, it in fact has a horribly disconnected plot that is disconnect and not cohesive. No redeeming value in this movie.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written September 30, 2012

    Cerebral and Surreal but not Entertaining

    by mjcarne

    Saw The Master last night as two of my favorite actors are the stars. Read Dustin's review at Pajiba, which made me really psyched. But, bottom line, I didn't enjoy it. I didn't think the acting was particularly inspired. I will always be jaded by the actors' respective performances in The Gladiator and Capote. I didn't feel that their roles in The Master as mentally-ill alcholic and cult leader came up to that level. Also, the story line did not seem to have either a beginning or an end. I felt as if I had been a spectator to a segment of two peoples' lives where nothing really got resolved. (Also, GF was looking at her watch after 45 minutes and that is NEVER a good thing!)

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written September 18, 2012

    Disappointing

    by

    Glad I saw this (I've seen all of P.T. Anderson's other films), but I'm disappointed and surprised that I thought it didn't work overall, given all the positive press it's gotten. Phoenix and Hoffman are both excellent actors, and in many ways they're excellent in this movie, but too much of the time it feels like an "Act-Off", a beautifully shot two man show with a few amazing scenes, consistently great cinematography, but the two characters are really the whole movie, and the relationship between the two of them ultimately didn't mean anything to me. I can say that I was nearly mesmerized by the first 30 or 40 minutes, up through the two leads' first big scene together, but then the movie just seemed to ramble and, at best, repeat itself for another hour and a half. I'm not sorry I saw it, but I'm genuinely sorry I can't recommend it with any great enthusiasm.

    • 8 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written September 23, 2012

    Don't Waste Your Money!!!

    by russiagirl

    The WORST movie I've seen in years...boring, low brow, depressing, way too long, and totally unlikeable characters, to boot! How is this movie getting good reviews? I stood outside the theater after the movie waiting for my husband, and EVERY single person or couple who came out had something negative to say. Here is a sampling: "That was awful!" or "What the hell???" or "What a waste of money!" or "Didn't the reviews say this was supposed to be good?" or "I'm so glad that's over!" Save your money and go to see an upbeat movie. This movie will bore and depress you all at the same time. What a scandal!

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

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So-so
6,646 fan reviews

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rayneholde there were also some fine moments with gila-gila, like the mega movie series by long. this guy was the master of parodies back in the days

8 days ago.

Beeeblebrox Was die Weinstein Company so ins Kino bring: The Master, Django Unchained, The Grandmaster, Only God Forgives & Scary Movie 5 (!)

8 days ago.

_JustAGirrl If the master of disguise was the only movie I could watch for the rest of my life I wouldn't complain

9 days ago.

Oldy86 Wow! The master was unreal! Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman n amy Adams giving 3 of best performances I've seen in a films all year!

9 days ago.

NverSatisfied1 Don't ever watch the movie The Master. Worst thing I have watched all the way through in a long time.

10 days ago.

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