Open Letters Monthly: The Master

Have any interest in Paul Thomas Anderson? Or Scientology? Then you've probably been hearing about The Master, Anderson's newly-directed effort that came out a few weeks ago. It tells the story of mentally traumatized WWII sailor Freddie Quells, who attempts to discover his place in the world during peacetime. In his travels, he discovers a religious group calling themselves The Cause and their enigmatic leader Lancaster Dodd. At first Freddie thinks he has found his calling as Dodd's right-hand man. But Dodd's methods to help heal Freddie seem to have no effect, and more and more Freddie hears from others that Dodd is making the whole thing up as he goes. As Freddie becomes more and more frustrated with The Cause, they are growing weary of his violent, immature attitude, with only Lancaster Dodd arguing his importance to The Cause.

The Master is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and stars Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Ambyr Childers and Jesse Plemons.

Click here for the complete review at Open Letters Monthly.