The Master

The Master Photos

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Cast & Crew

Joaquin Phoenix
Freddie Quell

Philip Seymour Hoffman
Lancaster Dodd

Amy Adams
Peggy Dodd

Laura Dern
Helen Sullivan

Jesse Plemons
Val Dodd

Amy Ferguson
Martha the Salesgirl

Frank Bettag
Frank

Leonida A. Bautista
Nana

Ambyr Childers
Elizabeth Dodd

Paul Thomas Anderson
Director

Paul Thomas Anderson
Screenwriter

JoAnne Sellar
Producer

Daniel Lupi
Producer

Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer

Megan Ellison
Producer

Adam Somner
Executive Producer

Ted Schipper
Executive Producer

Jonny Greenwood
Original Music

Mihai Malaimare Jr.
Cinematographer

Leslie Jones
Film Editing

Peter McNulty
Film Editing

Jack Fisk
Production Design

David Crank
Production Design

Amy Wells
Set Decoration

Mark Bridges
Costume Design

Cassandra Kulukundis
Casting

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News & Interviews for The Master

Audience Reviews for The Master

• Oct 08, 2015

  The look of the film and the acting are both stunning. The performance by Joaquin Phoenix is phenomenal (not to mention Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams). It is hard to understand why others rate it very low. I doubt it is such a problem with the plot; it does exist. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end. At each stage there are tensions that play out. Something about the content triggers a negative reaction in people. I will go so far as to say that this is not one of those things that come down to taste; The Master is an excellent film.
  Robert B Super Reviewer
• Apr 28, 2015

  Very different in nature but original story. I did find it hard to follow and lost my interest several times. The acting is what stands out the most.
  Jarrin R Super Reviewer
• Jan 01, 2015

  Freddie specializes in creating cocktails from anything he can get his hands on, be it torpedo propellent, photography chemicals, fertilizers, or paint thinner. His dad killed himself with alcoholism, he long lost his mom to a mental institution, and now he's just come home from the experience of killing other men in WWII. He copes with these traumas by staying inebriated, and yet the pain still drives him to violence. Yet Master Dodd, who tells readers in his cult book that man is not an animal and must do away with emotional impulses (and farting), sees more inspiration in Freddie than weakness. While being told to repent of animal instincts, Freddie is busy writing a note to the pretty woman sitting across from him: "Do you want to ****? :-)." Dodd is envious of Freddie's free and honest nature, beholden to no one, and most importantly, wholly unashamed of his animalistic self. Freddie, who apparently has missed out on experiencing an affectionate, intimate friendship, becomes Dodd's personal bartender and loyal protector against the world who challenges Dodd's ideas. It becomes apparent that the Master, the wise seer of truth, is himself a slave to two other dueling masters - booze loosens his strings, and his latest wife pulls them taught. Mrs. Dodd sees their fearless family friend as a threat to her dreams of success, and the Master has to find a reason to keep his song bird around. This reason, perhaps genuine or perhaps selfish, does do Freddie a service. What happens next teaches Freddie self control and the ability to soberly deal with his life's pain head on, eye to eye, without so much as flinching. What does a sober, functioning, and centered Freddie look like? What does he do with himself? What does he want? That's for you and the Master to find out.
  

  Matthew S Super Reviewer
• Jul 22, 2014

  Phoenix and Hoffman are absolutely brilliant in this long yet rewarding film that handles its subject matter with the right balance of artfulness, intelligence, and intensity. Hoffman proves once again that he is the greatest actor of his generation.
  

  Matthew Samuel M Super Reviewer