Thoughtful new film is satisfying to watch

by Adelina Simpson | 09/25/2012

Dubbed Paul Thomas Anderson's Scientology movie, The Master is part voyeuristic dip into Dianetics, part fictionalized documentary about larger-than-life cult leader Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his manic follower, Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix). Shot in lush, life-like 70 millimeter (think The Tree of Life and Samsara), the film depicts what can happen during the spiritually fertile period after wars. A slave to his post-traumatic stress condition, World War II Navy veteran Freddie can't hold a job.