As we’ve already noted, it’s been a very good month for Paul Thomas Anderson fans. We recently reviewed his latest film at the New York Film Festival, the 55-minute documentary "Junun," now available to view on MUBI. And continuing in a musical vein, his second video collaboration with singer Joanna Newsom (after "Sapokanikan" dropped in August) is about to be unleashed, but you won’t find it online. If you want to see his latest little side project, "Divers," you’ll have to get out and head over to your local arthouse, if you’re so lucky.
It is admittedly a little strange reviewing a music video, but then again, PTA is one of the most gifted and hero-worshipped of modern auteurs, and there’s also more to admire in this beyond just satisfying cinephile completist impulses. Running just over seven-and-a-half minutes long, "Divers" gazes rather adoringly at Newsom’s face. Anderson’s camera is fixed on her close-up for most the runtime, even more than her small but vital turn in "Inherent Vice." Shot through what looks like a large fish tank, with an array of colorful chemical reactions swirling around Newsom’s face, the video has an old-school simplicity to it, using techniques invented by Georges Méliès to make it look as if the singer is floating in some hand-crafted otherworld. Anderson and Newsom shot in the New York City studio of artist Kim Keever, whose work—utilizing plaster sets and paint drippings in water to beautiful effect—is used for the artwork of the new album Divers, with the filmmaker’s aim to immerse the musician in the artist’s landscapes. The concept was achieved, the effect works and looks good, even if not much really happens, though. It’s more a series of shots of Newsom in close or medium shots, while the paint drippings begin to take form and look like angry clouds surrounding her.
READ MORE: Ranked: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Music Videos
It’s refreshing to see PTA in loose mode these days, turning around smaller projects in what feels like a series of creative bursts. For a filmmaker who often takes long stretches between features, it’s smart of him to try new things and keep his filmmaking blood flowing. Though I must confess to being one of the many die-hard fans of the writer/director, "Divers" is nothing more than a fun little curio, more like the last toke off a Doc Sportello joint than a proper PTA fix. I suggest keeping your expectations modest for this.
Because it’s playing in select theaters around the country, it’s understandable if you’re expecting something a bit more grand or even purely cinematic. But that simply isn’t the case here. This is nothing more than a simple but crafty music video (not even fair to label it a short, really). And that’s just fine. Though if this becomes a marketable trend for the music industry to get attention for certain artists, let’s hope more money and a scale more worthy of the big screen are funneled into the projects.
"Divers" is cool looking and sounds just fine (I could take or leave the song, but Newsom does have a unique style I admire). Playing it as a short in theaters before the feature starts is another old fashioned release strategy that harkens to a time when movie theaters had more showmanship. You didn’t just get the feature; there were cartoons, shorts and news reels before the film and then trailers after that. I personally love the idea of making the theatrical experience more special for the audience, as long as they’re willing to sit longer at the theater. PTA has been at the forefront of using his influence to retain a sense of the past in going to the movies — he still shoots on film, and he took his 70mm presentation of "The Master" on the road in 2012 — and while "Divers" may not be revolutionary as a music video, it could start a welcome trend at the movies. [B-]
"Divers" starts playing in select cinemas on October 16th. See cities and dates here.
Yeah, complete failures…..Droop, you are clearly a moron. The Master may not have been Transformers part 2 but its considered alright. I cant wait to see your vision come to life in the lastest masterpiece by El Droopy ( a droopy penis production). Im sure it will be better than any old PTA 70mm home movie. Right, El Droopy?
The Master was one of his most critically acclaimed films and a lot of major cinephiles really love it. It\’s among my favorite films. Inherent Vice was initially polarizing but there are many who thought it was great, including myself. I saw it named as the best movie of 2014 on several different sites/publications. "Weren\’t really embraced by anyone"?? Have you been living under a rock? No disrespect, man, think whatever you want and it\’s cool if you didn\’t care for either of those films, but don\’t act as if no one else did. Because that sure as hell ain\’t true.
ya I think it\’s less about PTA being scared than it is about getting studios to invest in his movies. Im a huge PTA a fan and absolutely love all his movies but as an investment from studios he\’s not that reliable, In that case I hope he gets back with Annapurna Pictures to get the money he truly deserves.
The Master is held is very high regard and in some communities considered among the best films of the past DECADE, or even longer. And Inherent Vice was a festival favorite at NYFF last year, and I was lucky enough to attend his master class during which he discussed his influences and inspirations. I don\’t know where people are getting this "flop" notion, but I disagree with it. Since when is PTA a filmmaker solely judged by box office success? Both films made respectable money for non-genre films. and both garnered great reviews and Oscar Nominations. PTA isn\’t scared of making another film, he\’s just taking a breath and exploring some other avenues right now. I thought Junun was very interesting and complex for being a quick project, and let\’s not forget he had almost all of his equipment blocked at customs. Okay; my rant is over: PTA is not dead, nor dying, and one could argue that he\’s just as strong as ever.
The Master has a rating of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86% on Metacritic. Inherent Vice is 73% on RT and 81% on MC. Both films appeared on esteemed critic J Hoberman\’s top ten of their respective years. The Guardian named the Master the #1 film of 2012 and Inherent Vice #3 of 2014. Film Comment named the Master #2 of 2012 and Vice #9 of 2014. The Village Voice film poll of 85 critics named the Master #1 of 2012 and Vice #8 of 2014. Etc So not sure what all these \’nobody liked these films\’ comments are based on. Probably just the posters\’ impotent frustration at having these oblique, complex films go over their heads.
Blake you\’re full of shit. The Master is widely regarded as one of the great films of the decade. Not everybody loved it right out of the gate but its reputation has grown since its overhyped release. Inherent Vice has proven more divisive and it\’s my least favorite PTA but it still has its fans. Plus, both films were relatively inexpensive compared to many Hollywood films. Anyway, who cares what the masses think? Plenty of great movies flopped when they first came out: The Big Lebowski leaps to mind.
Michael I agree maybe a few people n LA and NY liked The Master and Inherent Vice but very few people actually went to see them which is why they flopped. Also the few that did all I ever heard was it was too weird or confusing. And remember The Master was nominated for nothing outside of acting. I think this whole people actually like The Master or Inherent Vice is a false narrative.
I know tons of people who adore The Master. I think it\’s actually pretty common for people to think that it\’s one of the very best movies of the last five years.
Also – Inherent Vice definitely didn\’t get as rapturous a response as There Will Be Blood or The Master, but I still think people really liked it and thought it was interesting.
Droop lots of people hate both films and they were both giant flops
"The Master and Inherent Vice weren\’t really embraced by anyone, were they? Is PTA scared of making a feature again?" wtf are saying idiot, clearly they were.
The Master and Inherent Vice weren\’t really embraced by anyone, were they? Is PTA scared of making a feature again?