When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of former revolutionaries reunites to rescue one of their own’s daughter.
Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a paranoid, washed-up revolutionary. He and his teen daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), must go into hiding when Colonel Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn) goes looking for her. I don’t think anyone would deny that Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the great modern American directors. He tells unique, original stories with A-list and unknown actors alike.
Even in his more dramatic films, there is usually a dark edge of humor to them. I’m thinking of Vicky Krips’s Alma slurping her soup in front of Daniel Day-Lewis in “Phantom Thread.” Or Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview yelling, “I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!” in “There Will Be Blood.” That same humor is embedded in “One Battle After Another,” which takes this film to the next level.
There was not one second that I was bored in this film. It captured my attention from the first frame. This nearly 3-hour film boasts excellent pacing, keeping you invested in the characters and the twists the story takes.
There is an undercurrent of modern American political commentary in “One Battle After Another” that makes it timely and relevant. The plot, honestly, feels like it could actually happen, which is somewhat disconcerting. The film pokes fun at both sides, but one side is definitely the butt of the joke. You see, Lockjaw basically sends the whole military after Willa due to unfinished business that he had with her mother, Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor). He has the opportunity to join an exclusive white supremacist club called The Christmas Adventurers. But must tie up some loose ends before he can be accepted.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Sean Penn’s performance. His character is wild. And his commitment to being the butt of the joke honestly astounded me. Even though he is playing such a despicable character, you can’t help but laugh at him.
DiCaprio’s character here is similar to Rick Dalton in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” They are both lost, washed-up men past their prime. In this film, he is often high and hands-off with parenting. But a high, panicking Bob trying to find his daughter leads to quite a few comedic moments.
Benicio del Toro is a highlight in his supporting role. His character is Sensei Sergio, and he is Willa’s martial arts teacher. Bob goes to him for help once he finds out his daughter is missing. Due to Bob’s incompetence due to his drug-addicted state, he has to swoop in a few times to save him.
Lastly, there is Chase Infiniti in her feature debut as Willa. This young actress held her own against all-stars like DiCaprio and Penn. Despite never sharing a scene together, her character’s personality bears a striking resemblance to that of her mother. Willa is the heart of this twisted father-daughter drama. And the biggest tragedy of this film is how she, as an innocent teenager, is kidnapped due to the whims of a deranged man, which in turn forces her to get blood on her hands.
Anderson handles this film with such expertise. Great direction often comes from a good, detailed script. Since he also wrote this film, he knew exactly what he needed to do to bring his vision to life. You cannot help but admire how he deftly incorporates different tones in “One Battle After Another.” He knew precisely when some levity was needed, when to ramp up the action, and what shots instilled the most suspense.
Is this Anderson’s best movie? I think it’s too early to tell. He has quite the resume, and there isn’t a film of his that I haven’t liked. But “One Battle After Another” is undoubtedly great and is certainly one of the best movies of the year.
Now available on Digital and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, and DVD January 20th
11k
19.8k
1.5k
1.8k