theglobeandmail.com
One Battle After Another": A Hilarious and Galvanizing Epic
Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" is a 162-minute, 14A-rated film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, and Sean Penn, that follows a revolutionary and his daughter as they evade a proto-MAGA villain 15 years after the events of their past.
- What are the potential future implications or critical perspectives raised by the film's ending?
- The film's explosive climax, a neo-Mexican standoff, suggests that the cycle of conflict might continue. The ambiguity surrounding the protagonists' fate leaves the audience contemplating the unresolved tensions within society and the enduring nature of political struggle. The film also implicitly critiques the control exerted by secretive, powerful groups.
- How does the film use humor to address serious themes of rebellion, oppression, and political conflict?
- Anderson uses darkly comedic elements to juxtapose the absurdity of the situation with the seriousness of the themes. Jokes about paranoia and bureaucracy satirize the complexities of revolutionary struggle, while the film's overall tone avoids simplistic messaging. This approach allows the film to make incisive commentary without feeling preachy.
- What are the immediate impacts of the film's narrative structure, split between two time periods and generations?
- The dual timeline structure allows for a swift exposition of the past, establishing the stakes before immediately plunging into the present-day conflict. This creates a dynamic narrative that keeps the audience engaged without sacrificing crucial backstory. The generational shift emphasizes the cyclical nature of revolution and oppression.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The review heavily favors the film, using overwhelmingly positive language ("exhilarating, hilarious, galvanizing," "magnificent achievement," "finest film of the year") and minimizing any potential flaws. The narrative structure prioritizes showcasing the film's positive aspects, focusing on the performances, direction, and plot points that highlight its strengths. While acknowledging the film's length, this is framed positively as contributing to a rich experience rather than a drawback. The headline itself, "One Battle After Another," is intriguing and attention-grabbing, further enhancing the positive framing.
Language Bias
The review is replete with highly positive and effusive language, such as "exhilarating," "hilarious," "galvanizing," "magnificent achievement," and "finest film of the year." These terms go beyond objective description and express strong subjective approval. There's also a consistent use of superlatives and hyperbolic phrasing, for example, describing the film as having "casual, confident brilliance that feels deceptively effortless." More neutral alternatives could include terms like "engaging," "entertaining," "well-made," "ambitious," and "effective." The repeated use of "powerful" and related terms amplifies the positive tone.
Bias by Omission
The review omits discussion of potential negative aspects of the film, such as specific criticisms of plot holes, pacing issues, or potentially problematic aspects of the narrative or characters. While acknowledging the film's length, it doesn't delve into whether this length negatively impacts viewer engagement. The review also does not mention any box office numbers or audience reception. The absence of critical voices or differing opinions on the film creates a one-sided perspective. While space constraints might partially explain some omissions, the complete lack of any negative assessment suggests a potential bias.
False Dichotomy
The review presents a somewhat false dichotomy by portraying the film as either entirely exceptional or lacking in any meaningful flaws. It doesn't allow for a more nuanced assessment that acknowledges both strengths and weaknesses. The hyperbole used in the description doesn't leave room for critical analysis. For instance, declaring it the "finest film of the year" without considering other releases suggests a lack of balanced judgment.
Gender Bias
The review focuses primarily on the male characters (DiCaprio, Penn, Del Toro), giving them more detailed descriptions and analysis of their performances. While Teyana Taylor is praised, her character's description is slightly less elaborate than the male characters. The description of Perfidia firing a machine gun while pregnant could be seen as reinforcing a stereotype of women as aggressive, defying expectations of motherhood. The review could benefit from a more balanced assessment of gender representation and an exploration of the film's portrayal of female characters.
Sustainable Development Goals
The film depicts a revolutionary group fighting against oppression and injustice, aiming to liberate migrants from detention facilities and redistribute wealth. This directly addresses SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities, by highlighting the struggle against systemic inequalities and advocating for a more just society. The movie shows the fight for social justice and economic fairness, which are central to reducing inequalities.