“One Battle After Another” is the highly anticipated film by Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson has had a colorful history of critically acclaimed movies, such as “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia,” and “There Will Be Blood.” I am glad to say that “One Battle After Another” can be added to that list. It has been praised by critics on many different websites and has become the highest rated film of the decade on Metacritic. It is an action-packed, thoughtful and strangely funny movie. The movie would have me laughing in one scene and tearing up in the next. Anderson balances these aspects very well.

The film also had some very good performances. The clear stand-out was Sean Penn. He was able to make me laugh at his character, but also fear him. He is not the only one who gave a good performance though. Chase Infiniti shined as Willa Ferguson. She held her own against her co-stars and had amazing chemistry with Leonardo DiCaprio. I also thought that it was very brave of Paul Thomas Anderson to write the story the way he did.

The movie grapples with many controversial topics that currently divide our country. I believe that these topics were handled with the appropriate seriousness and sensitivity that they require.

Tucker Rowland ‘27 said: “I really liked the movie. I had a lot of fun watching it and it made me think differently about current issues. Every character like Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro played beautiful convincing roles that made them lovable characters. Paul Thomas Anderson put on a movie so lovable I might have to go it again.”

While I and many others have glowing praise for “One Battle After Another,” I do admit that it is not perfect. Not everyone at Loyola loves the movie. Carolyn Guido-Clifford said: “I thought the movie was a little overhyped. The story was okay. However, the performances from the cast were phenomenal and made up for the gripes I had with the movie.”

I believe that “One Battle After Another” will become a classic and join other films in the pantheon of American masterpieces.