Faith in Film 3, Week 8

Here's a look at tomorrow night's worksheet.

Title: “There Will Be Blood” (2007)

Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano, and Ciaran Hinds

Synopsis: Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the most unique writer/directors working today. His films are always challenging on a number of levels. He directed “Boogie Nights,” “Punch Drunk Love,” and “Magnolia,” all of which feature broken people caught up in self-destructive situations. “There Will Be Blood,” arguably his best film, follows the same pattern. The film is loosely based on the Upton Sinclair book Oil — which was meant as an expose of the oil industry and the titans of that industry. The film follows much the same pattern with the fictional Daniel Plainview (Day Lewis). The power of that performance was a catalytic force for the film, which became a strong contender during Academy Award season. Day Lewis won Best Actor for his portrayal, and the movie was nominated for several awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

In addition to being well-crafted, “There Will Be Blood” highlights a few important principles. At the center of the narrative is an exploration of greed as a destructive force in our lives. An interesting way this theme is explored is through Daniel’s principle adversary — Eli Sunday (Dano). Sunday starts a wildcat church for the oil workers, but his ultimate aim isn’t saving lives. It’s interesting to watch the parallel paths that Sunday and Plainview take during their journey and how each is ultimately ruined due to the pull of material greed in their lives.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does greed affect the way we relate to others and to the world?

2. As Christians, how do we overcome the natural human tendency toward greed?

3. How do “Christians” like Eli Sunday hurt our efforts to spread the Gospel?