Paul Thomas Anderson - director of One Battle After Another - already has my attention. I'm a fan of his movies, including The Master, There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice, and many others---I even like his box office flops. One Battle After Another begins in our revolutionary past - the 70s - in which Leonardo DiCaprio, full of piss and vinegar, does whatever's necessary including explosions, car crashes, fires, and betrayal. The betrayal comes from DiCaprio's wife, who cozies up to a military zealot played by Sean Penn. When his revolution runs out of gas, DiCaprio settles into quiet parenthood with the daughter he knows might not exactly be his. Ironically the revolution and vengeance centers on immigration and race. Beyond that, I can only add a young actress appropriately named Chase Infiniti holds her own, while DiCaprio and Sean Penn battle to steal this show. The twists and turns of this plot and the chase and resolution will make your head spin. I imagine the critical appraisal will label One Battle After Another the film of the year. I might add some of you might come out thinking "What the Hell was that?" I felt assaulted at first, then entertained, and finally fascinated. Can't say that about too much these days.
