The MasterMovie Reviews

  • So-so Based on 6,606 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Oh No!
    Written February 8, 2013

    Random Naked Paint Thinner

    by Meriweather

    This was the most random disconnected set of scenes in any movie I've ever seen. There was NO story, there was no character, there was....nothing worth watching.

    They do have a scene with naked women that look like real live women instead of plastic Hollywood babes, however. So if 20 seconds of naked intrigues you....maybe go see it.

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

    The Master

    by grandma717

    Interesting-acting by Hoffman and Phoenix extraordinary, but left kind of thinking-what was all the fuss about with this movie.

    I saw it in 70mm which was appropriate for the time period, but honestly with all the bad things happening in the world, did I have to see a movie filled with drinking, mind control and depressing events? I don't thin so. Skip it. See it on dvd.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written September 26, 2012

    The Master?

    by jniemira

    This is not a movie for everyone. This movie is more of an intellectual film or a movie for those who love acting. The actors were excellent and the story was OK. This movie also has a strong psychological undertone and symbolism.

    • 40 out of 76 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written September 21, 2012

    a plot would have been nice

    by

    oh my gosh, so dull. i DO like art films but this was just annoying and dull. the really funny part is that i went to see it cause i think Joaquinn is the sexiest man alive. go ahead laugh out loud if you've seen the movie--which makes him resemble a worm rolling on the ground.

    • 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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  • Oh No!
    Written December 26, 2012

    Not Masterful

    by boomeroo

    The cast drew us in but this movie proved that an actor is only as good as the role. Saw the movie with husband and young adult son. We all were bored - it was slow moving and nothing much happened. And what did happen was not interesting.

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

    Complex drama, amazing acting

    by MelSays

    This movie sets a high bar for this Oscar season: Joaquin Phoenix will be up one, and it ought to be best actor. Philip Seymour Hoffman will be up for one, and it ought to be best actor. Strategy dictates one will be promoted for best supporting actor. That's a shame because both are so powerful, so absolutely in command of their characters that either could win best actor. You'll also never again think of Amy Adams as that sweet-smiley-girl-next-door: Here she's colder than dry ice, a messianic zealot, calculating and scary. A best supporting actress nomination is a given. Some say this movie is a swipe against scientology, and on reflection there are quite a few hints. It certainly speaks against cults and the cult of personality. The acting is enhanced by superb cinematography. I understand it was shot on film, not digitally, and the soft background focus lends authenticity to the early 1950s feel. Not for kids, though. It is an adult movie, for adults.

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

    False Advertising

    by jab174

    I go to the movies to be entertained. If I were a film student or critic I probably would have loved it. As an average movie patron I want a refund.

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

    It was ok, but not worth the time wasted to watch it.

    by awyldknght

    The acting was good, but the story was confusing & their was no real clear point to the movie.

    It was hard to follow the story with it jumping around in time sequence.

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

    Good but confusing

    by JEBD

    I liked the movie, although there were some very confusing parts. My husband found it too wierd for his taste. It is a good movie to go to with others so you can discuss it later. The acting was terrific! What a cast!

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

    Really???

    by steady

    My wife and I saw it, wasted our money. I expect to be moved emotionally by a movie, either high or low. This really was a straight-liner... and I mean that in the most negative of ways!

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

    The Master

    by ednorm

    While The Master had good direction and stunning photography, I felt like something was missing. The story line was somewhat disconnected and doesn't explain anything. It was not sufficiently thought provoking. I heard, following the movie, one viewer ask another, "Did it seem like Scientology to you?" Her response, like the film, was too ambiguous. I have not read anything of Scientology or about it other than newspaper and references by persons with whom I am aquainted. I was engaged by the visuals and the performances, not by the screen play. I missed any real point. I was disappointed that I would spend my time and money on it.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written November 14, 2012

    Best movie I've seen in a while...

    by MG1960

    Visually striking, but even more I couldn't look away for fear I'd miss some nuance of the characters. I hope lots of smart people see it because I want to talk about it!

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

    The Master

    by pdisney154

    One of the worst movies I have ever seen. It dwelled on meaningless dialogue and scenes of close ups that didn't seem to add anything to the betterment of the movie. The cinematography was OK but there should be some balance of telling the story and dwelling on scenes where the understanding and emotion had already been fully achieved.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written October 19, 2012

    Save it for Sunday Afternoon

    by trovato14

    This is what i felt like: As if i were sitting at home watching a PBS Special Film with really great actors. The story line was slow, comedy was sparse, and plot agonizing...yet i really wanted to see how it ended. Then after it ended, i really wished i hadn't. If i were at home watching this on a Sunday afternoon on PBS, i would have flipped on the XBOX instead.

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

Fans say

So-so
6,606 fan reviews

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packaday Hey if The Master had some exposition, maybe we would have known what the film was about. #proexpositionwithinreason

3 hours ago.

HURRICANE__JOE The master was one weird ass movie but atleast there were a lot of boobs in it

13 hours ago.

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

2 days ago.

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

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!