Oscar Watch: "The Master"

The Master
Nominated for: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress

The Master is the story of a troubled vet who falls for a cult leader. Joaqin Phoenix, who plays the veteran, is lost after the war, and takes to the charisma of Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who goes around the country convincing people of his power to change their lives. The movie doesn't really go far from there. Honestly, I didn't think it was all that fantastic. It did focus on the power of a cult, and how people can buy into a charismatic leader. But I didn't feel a connection to any character. The acting was very good. Hoffman, no surprise, was able to play his character well. Phoenix, too, was totally lost in the role, and I totally bought his performance. I wasn't as impressed with Adams's performance, only because she didn't seem to offer much to the film. Overall, I wasn't too impressed by this film, and I guess neither was AMPAS outside of the acting.