Saw it last night

I'm not sure if I would go as far to say it's a masterpiece, but easily one of the best films of the last year. The filmmaking here is absolutely incredible. The cinematography, score, performances are all A game. I know it sounds cliche, but I was just an absolute awe the entire time admiring this on a technical level. It really did feel like I was transported back in time watching a classic American epic film that we just don't see anymore.

Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce both deserve Oscars for their performances. Joe Alwyn was great as well. I think the one aspect where the film falls flat a bit is the story, practicably the ending. The first half pre Intermission is perfect, and while I liked the 2nd half which most people seem to be divided on, I felt like it started to collapse under it's own ambition and wasn't able to tie up all the themes in a way that stuck a landing. Their is also a pivotal scene towards the end where the writing just felt bad and out of place in tone with everything that came before.

I will be seeing it again at some point, but as of now I would give it a 8.5/10