MovieChat Forums > The Master (2012) Discussion > 'Nothing happens', 'no plot development'...

'Nothing happens', 'no plot development' etc.

posted 9 years ago by LeSamourai86
14 replies | jump to latest

I did not love this film, but I did like it. I loved the performances. I especially loved the processing scene; it almost made my eyes water and sting (although that could be because I was tired that night, hehe!). Excellent scene. I also loved the scene when Freddie and Dodd are put in jail and the ensuing tantrum and argument. Even though I did not love this film, I definitely was not bored watching this film, and mayhap watch it again one day.

One thing that annoys me is when people say nothing happens in this film (or any other film, for that matter). I would say much more than nothing happened. Just because a film does not have a conventionally accepted definition of something happening, does not mean nothing happens. Another example is of The Road; a friend of mine did not like it because, according to him, "nothing happens". On the contrary, I think many things happened! I rarely understand when people use this argument to dislike a film. A better argument may be to say that one did not like what happens in a film.

Additionally, some have complained of lack of plot development. My response to that is that a plot does not always have to 'develop'. Why is a character study not enough?

Another criticism (aimed at any film) I do not agree with is that of lack of character arc (although I argue that there is some change in Freddie's character). Why should a character have to change in a film? Although I have nothing against an arc, what's wrong with a character not changing in a film?

Finally, before anyone says I am a pretentious, snobby, etc., I have a wide range of taste in films, whether they be 'artsy-fartsy' or 'low-brow' entertainment (I put these terms in inverted-commas as I don't like referring to films using those terms).

[–] Ayala1982 9 years ago

I did love this film, but I think it's pointless to argue about taste. I agree with some of your points, but the bottom line is that I watched it twice and both times I walked away breathless, full of thoughts and with swollen eyes (and I don't usually cry at movies, or at all. Not that kind of girl), so hey, PTA must have done something very right here..

[–] LeSamourai86 9 years ago

You're right; arguing about taste is pointless. Maybe parts of my comment came off as a little mean-spirited; I did not intend this. 😃

I'd like to know, which parts of The Master made you cry?

[–] Ayala1982 9 years ago

For instance, the scene when Freddie finally sucseeds in the exercise, sort of passes the test, he cries and the master huggs him. Not that I thought those exercises were anything real, on the contrary, and that exactly is what grabbed me, it was so awkward and pathetic, so that you could see how Freddie's vulnerability exposes him and lets him be controlled, and how his internal pain makes him crave for any kind of redemption.

[–] LeSamourai86 9 years ago

Thanks for sharing. I might give this film another try in the future; maybe I'll get more out of it then. A lot of my favourite films are ones I did not think much of on first viewing.

[–] kmags84 9 years ago

Some films are more plot driven, others are Character Studies. This falls in the 2nd Category. It's about 2 Men and also is set against a Period in the US with great uncertainty. That's how I view this film. I don't watch to see a crazy plot with different narratives, it's not really about that... I watch to immerse myself into the development of Freddies character set against that of Dodds.

[–] LeSamourai86 9 years ago

Absolutely, this is a character study.

I very much like character studies; this one is not my favourite, in terms of the characters themselves, but the study is done very well and is a very good film.

One other thing is that this film has not left me, even though I did not love it. I keep on remembering images/scenes from the film, especially the processing scene. This, for me, is one of the marks of a good film.

[–] kmags84 9 years ago

Yeah, we all have our perspectives. I've grown to love this film, it definitely stirs something up in my stomach. It sticks with me long after viewing it. Even now as I type (Probably watched this about a Month ago), I find myself really digging into certain scenes... The Processing Scene is a great example. I love the seamless transition to the Flashback of Freddie in Lynn, walking in his Navy Blues, meeting his old gal, thinking of better times. PTA really nailed the sentiment. There are 2 other scenes that truly register with me...

The moment Freddie finds Dodds boat. Freddie is walking... He's cold, alone and after what happened at his job, obviously just very isolated. He journeys back to what he knows... The Sea. But, as we walk along with Freddie, we also see Dodd in his peripheral, dancing, under warm lights, amongst friends and family. A man in Control, the opposite of Freddie. It just digs into my psyche.

Another would be an obvious one... The Last Scene of them together. Dodd singing 'Slow Boat To China' after telling Freddie the last of his lies. About Prussia and the Balloons. One LAST try. Using War, something Freddie relates to, one of the only proud moments if his life, truly the ULTIMATE Lie. The emotion breaks thru the screen and drills me every time... THIS, this is why I love the film. I completely agree about its Plot. It's not as well rounded as some would like it to be... But I can do without it. It has so much more for me. One view after the next, it registers deep.

[–] LeSamourai86 9 years ago

Thanks for sharing!

Reading what you have written does make me want to watch this film again. I probably will when I have the time.

You mentioned the scene where he walks to the boat. I liked that it was a long take. I have a thing for tracking shots and long takes; I love them!

[–] kmags84 9 years ago

Absolutely... That shot is not NEARLY as effective without it being a long, tracking shot. It's meant to really pull you in. PTA is definitely one of the best in his trade. Long Takes and Tracking Shots are very much a part of his catalog

[–] Kompressor_Fan 8 years ago

I think when people say that nothing happens, what they mean is that nothing worth paying attention to happens, and they were bored senseless. It's sad....a director that once seemed to show such promise gathers together a stellar cast of actors, and just wastes them.

[–] kmags84 8 years ago

Yet, they all want to work with him... For much less than their usual fee... Weird. Well, it just depends on your idea of "Nothing Happens" I guess. Either you like OR dislike Character Studies. Nothing wrong with either choice... But, plenty "Happens", it's just not conventional.

[–] Kompressor_Fan 8 years ago

I love character studies. Hollywood makes way too few of them these days, electing instead to make Marvel movies. That said, this was IMO a very poor character study.

[–] antvolley 9 years ago

Very good post to be quite honest. Just stopped here before I watch the film; I'm not exactly a rapid PTA fan but I do enjoy his films very much. Weirdly There Will Be Blood and Magnolia, usually mentioned as his best films, are my least favourite (though highly enjoyable and I've never turned either off if it was playing on TV)-I favour his "less ambitious" stuff like Hard Eight and Punch Drunk Love (probably the only bearable Adam Sandler performance-will, it's a pretty damn good performance actually-I've only seen two films with him in the lead, though), two lovely little films that I can rewatch without ever become bored or restless.

I've been guilty in the past of saying that "nothing really happens" in a film; most of the time it's meant as a compliment, though! A director who can make an engaging, interesting picture where nothing really occurs in the way of plot is a director to be cherished, in my opinion!

Thanks for the considered and intelligent comment! Okay off to watch now!

"Hot lesbian witches!"

[–] LeSamourai86 9 years ago

I love There Will Be Blood; outstanding film!

Hard Eight was an excellent film, and I'd love to see it again. I started to write a novel some years back and was really pleased with the idea I'd come up with for my story. Then I watched Hard Eight and was disappointed to find that my idea was somewhat similar to some of the story elements that we learn of in the last half of the film! PTA beat me by about 15 years! 

I was almost put-off watching Punch Drunk Love because Sandler was in it but reading you comment makes me hopeful!

Did you like The Master?

My Favourite Films: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls031923032