Roger Ebert's Less Than Glowing Review: "The Master" (2.5 Stars)

ROGER EBERT
By Roger Ebert

Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" is fabulously well-acted and crafted, but when I reach for it, my hand closes on air. It has rich material and isn't clear what it thinks about it. It has two performances of Oscar caliber, but do they connect? Its title character is transparently inspired by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, but it sidesteps any firm vision of the cult religion itself — or what it grew into. This is the first movie filmed in 65mm (and projected in 70mm, in select markets) since Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet" (1996). It's a spectacular visual experience."The Master" shows invention and curiosity. It is often spellbinding. But what does it intend to communicate? [link]