“One Battle After Another” is One Thrill After Another

Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “One Battle After Another” is a probably his most mainstream film, and also one of his best.  The film opens with a prolog that introduces us to a group of freedom fighters named the French 75.  Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) has recently joined the group and is helping them liberate the immigrants at a detention center.  During this mission, Perfidia (Teyana Taylor) crosses paths with Col. Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn), a truly sadistic man who becomes obsessed with her.  As the years tick by, Bob and Perfidia fall in love and eventually have a child together, while Lockjaw continues to hunt for them.  After one mission goes particularly bad, the film jumps ahead 16 years. The French 75 is no more, Perfidia is no longer in the picture, and Bob is now a paranoid, stoner, single dad.  His daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti) is surprisingly well adjusted, considering the upbringing she’s had. She believes Bob’s paranoia is unfounded, but that quickly changes after Lockjaw suddenly renews his hunt for them.  Bob spends the rest of the movie desperately trying to rescue Willa from Lockjaw.   Unfortunately, Bob is more of a loser than a hero and keeps landing himself in one bad situation after another.

Once this movie starts, it never lets up.  The nearly 3 hour runtime, cruises by, without a single dull moment.  Each character is so uniquely fascinating, that we never tire of their presence.  Sean Penn is a great actor, but his performance as Lockjaw is on another level.  I can’t remember another villain that I’ve loved to hate this much in a very long time.  He is disgusting, cruel, terrifying, unrelenting, but we also pity him.  To see the few things that actually matter in his life, and how he expresses joy, is an incredible mirror to his lack of empathy for everyone else.  Chase Infiniti also does an incredible job as Willa.  Her character experiences a rollercoaster of emotions in a short period of time, and each is perfectly reflected in her performance.  It’s hard to believe this is the first feature film she’s been in.  Benicio Del Toro‘s infinitely patient Sensei Sergio St. Carlos, is easily the most likeable character in the film, and the source of a lot of the humor.

Considering some of the dark themes, the unrelenting tension, and its blunt social commentary, “One Battle After Another” is surprisingly funny.  It’s not just razor sharp satire, or clever one-liners, but also some hilarious physical comedy.  Tying everything together is an incredible score, which perfectly compliments the varying emotional states on screen.  Some of it is chaotic, with jarring “notes.”  While most of the score is slowly dialing up the tension, other bits are calm and soothing.

It takes an incredible amount of talent to blend all of these aspects into a coherent movie.  “One Battle After Another” is thrilling, hilarious, scary, and surprisingly touching.  It is easily one of the best movies this year, and should not be missed.

 

 

 

 

 

home