"Man is not an animal". With those words, what's likely to be the final trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's eagerly awaited The Master opens, and it's another stirring and thrilling look at what many are expecting to be the film experience of the season. The words of Lancaster Dodd(Philip Seymour Hoffman) back what is basically a quick rundown of the life of alcoholic drifter, Freddie Quell(Joaquin Phoenix), who falls in alongside Dodd and his new faith-based organization, but appears to be struggling with its demands.
There are snippets of new footage, many of which I'm guessing will look incredible in 70mm, but what really stuck out to me was how this trailer shows more of the opposing viewpoint on Dodd's religion. While some would dispute it, I think it's become pretty clear that Dodd is based at least in part on L. Ron Hubbard and his founding of Scientology. In this trailer we see the dreaded word "cult" thrown out there to describe it. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the scene that really ruffled Tom Cruise's feathers.
The Master is set to open on September 14th before hitting wide release the following week....[The Film Stage]
