The Master, a fabulous psychodrama

Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 psychodrama The Master is nothing less than a cinematic opus, a layered character study that has only grown in esteem over time.

Joaquin Phoenix gives the best performance of his career as Freddie Quell, a troubled World War II veteran who spirals into self-destruction.

Philip Seymour Hoffman also excels as the enigmatic title figure who preaches new-age philosophy.

Behind the lens, PTA's direction is stunning, kinetic yet painterly. His meticulous attention to period detail transports the viewer, and Jonny Greenwood's haunting soundtrack is a vital character. Every frame seems destined for the art galleries.

The narrative unfolds not through dramatic beats, but through subtextual gestures and glimpses of the human condition. PTA tackles dense themes such as brainwashing, faith, trauma, and the boundaries between manipulation and free will.

Like the great modern epics, it sticks in the soul long afterward: an unflinching mood piece that leaves audiences pondering their place in an uncertain universe. Hoffman and Phoenix, bravo for your titanic nakedness.

A true work of art that deserves to be among the pinnacles of cinema. PTA is simply one of history's greats and, with The Master, he has cemented that status forever. I predict his stature will grow with each viewing.

At the 2013 Oscars, it received 3 nominations, including Best Actor for Hoffman (a devastating loss that year). Phoenix should also have been included for his totally involving performance.

The National Society of Film Critics named The Master the best film of 2012, praising PTA's profound artistic achievement. With this work, PTA rightfully joined the ranks of American auteurs.

Worldwide box office receipts came in at a respectable $30 million, against a budget of $35 million,

Phoenix took home a Golden Globe for his amazing work as Freddie. A triumph that should have preceded an Oscar, but politics is politics. His rawly wounded presence shines brightest in my memory of the film.

The Master is one of the best films of the decade and cemented PTA on a higher cinematic plane that deserves our appreciation for generations to come. His films improve with age like the best wines.