Paul Thomas Anderson Ranked

Although it is just plain fun to rank a director's movies, it may also help me think about the director's oeuvre of work as a whole. Comparisons can help me to discover elements of film that I am drawn to, what the director finds value in revealing through their movies and possibly how the director has grown artistically.

One of the themes I see PTA explore in most, if not all of his films, are interpersonal power plays. Many characters spend a lot of time and energy trying to manipulate others for various reasons. We all do it, mostly subtly, even to those we genuinely love and it seems to be important to PTA that we understand people employ different…

Along the same lines, he often depicts characters that aren't entirely likable. In fact, many have severe character flaws front and center. Yet few characters are entirely unlikable either and several protagonists are charming, interesting, have an admirable point of view or are otherwise compelling to me as a viewer. PTA seems to understand that the most dangerous people are those who are likable enough to have the power to influence those around them.

Conversely, he also often depicts victims, people who have been pulled into another's sphere of influence which will alter the course of their lives. These characters are regularly depicted as having some kind of void in life and are seeking fulfillment in one way or another. They are easily attracted to to someone who is offering them a solution because of this.

PTA's movies are always character-driven which is a big part of the appeal to me. He also creates a very distinct setting and explores how a time and a place inform characters' thoughts and actions. Ultimately, he is a humanistic filmmaker who is fascinated by people, particularly the way they hurt and struggle with life, the weight of their pasts and their own personal flaws forever a burden upon their shoulders.

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Paul Thomas Anderson Ranked