Paul Thomas Anderson's Most Underrated Movie Is This Drama With Joaquin Phoenix & Amy Adams

Paul Thomas Anderson has long since secured his place among the living classics of cinema. The director has worked in various genres, and his filmography includes crime films, epic dramas, and coming-of-age stories.

However, even within his relatively limited filmography, there are hidden gems that have been rather overlooked. One of these is The Master, starring some of the best actors of the 21st century: Amy Adams and Joaquin Phoenix.

What Is 'The Master' About?

The main character, Freddie, is a tramp and a former naval officer suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

He falls into the hands of Lancaster Dodd, the leader of a religious cult. Freddie finds himself under the influence of his new mentor's teachings and soon becomes his right-hand man.

'The Master' Was a Massive Box Office Flop

The Master was shot for $32 million, but it only grossed half that amount at the domestic box office, and barely made $28 million worldwide.

However, it earned Oscar nominations for all three lead actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.

'The Master' Is a Portrait of an Era Inspired by the History of Scientology

At first, it seems as if Anderson made a film about Scientology. The director was indeed inspired by the life of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology, when creating the film.

However, the movie contains a kaleidoscope of ideas that the director raises in one way or another. Anderson uses facts about the Scientology leader as a basis but focuses on a desperate American citizen in the postwar period.

The collective traumas and difficult period in the country contributed to the emergence of new religions, which became the main focus in The Master. As in Boogie Nights, Anderson managed to depict the mood of the era through the story of one man's life.

'The Master' Is Yet Another Example of Joaquin Phoenix's Impressive Transformation

Freddie, played by Joaquin Phoenix, spends most of his screen time grinning through clenched jaws. To achieve the most realistic grin, Phoenix sought help from his dentist and asked him to put special metal braces on his top and bottom teeth.

Furthermore, Phoenix insisted that rubber bands be wrapped around both rows of teeth to prevent the jaws from opening.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Master'?

• The Master has 85% from critics and 62% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the drama has a score of 7.1/10.

• On Letterboxd, The Master is scored 4.0/5.

Where to Watch 'The Master'?

The Master is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.