One Battle After Another For Best Picture?! A Few Thoughts On That
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!
One Battle After Another, the Paul Thomas Anderson-directed black comedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a revolutionary on the run, opened in theaters in September. Many critics are now calling it the best film of 2025, saying it should be a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
However, after watching One Battle After Another this week on HBO Max, I have a few thoughts about that. So, clear out everyone.
This movie should have never been made.
Anderson adapted the film script from Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel, Vineland, which chronicles the lives of underground revolutionaries of the 1960s through the Reagan years. I have not read the book, but the main characters in the movie are vastly unlikeable. I don’t know how anyone could root for these people. Conservatives have complained that the military/government officials tracking the liberal revolutionaries are purposely buffoonish, but DiCaprio and his cohorts are equally without redeeming qualities. They blow up banks, government offices and whatever else they feel like not because they are committed to a cause, but because they just seem to like to blow things up. They never talk about any social injustices that upset them; they only talk about logistics (the skill in building a bomb; the technique of a takeover of a military encampment, etc.).
DiCaprio comes across as a weakling albeit loving father and his baby Mama (Teyana Taylor) abandons their infant child for totally selfish reasons. Why make this film if you are not going to have some heroes? Someone to side with? I don’t get it. Anderson (Boogie Nights, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood) is a skilled director and storyteller, but what was the point of this story?! One Battle After Another is his second worst film ever (and he has made some GD great ones; but Inherent Vice, starring Joaquin Phoenix, will always be his worst. What a mess that is!)
Anderson is a gifted filmmaker.
Despite all its flaws, I would never say One Battle After Another is not occasionally entertaining. The director is just too skilled to make a movie that will not hold your attention from time to time. (Even Inherent Vice has its moments.) This is why it’s such a shame that he chose this story. He’s so good that you hope the material will match his excellence as a filmmaker.
DiCaprio is a gifted actor.
Likewise, Leonardo DiCaprio is arguably the best actor of his generation. As ‘Bob’ in One Battle After Another, he exhibits a range of emotions and techniques, from a light comic touch to a mournful demeanor after losing his way of life when he has to go on the run. Again, what a shame to waste his talents on such a role. He’s too good for this.
Chase Infiniti is a revelation.
As DiCaprio’s daughter, Willa, Chase Infiniti is a presence, even outshining Leo in their scenes together. She was also very good in Apple TV’s procedural drama, Presumed Innocent. Look for big things from her.
Benicio del Toro is a hoot.
Del Toro is flawless as an unflappable Martial Arts instructor who helps DiCaprio escape the military police. No matter what happens – shots ricocheting around them, police sirens blaring — he acts as if nothing is happening. Very funny work from an old pro.
What happened to Sean Penn?
Penn plays Colonel Stephen J. Lockjaw who heads the search for DiCaprio’s character. The actor is now 65 but he looks like he’s 85. (Not just in the movie, but in real life, too.) He’s the rare modern day actor who actually looks older than his years. It’s a little distracting when you’re watching the film.
The movie needed more Alana Haim.
The Haim band sister was marvelous in Anderson’s Licorice Pizza but we get her for only about 15 minutes in One Battle After Another. And she had just a few lines. Too bad.
Why One Battle After Another will get the Best Picture nomination.
After everything I said, I have no doubt that the film will get a Best Picture nomination. Anderson is regarded (justifiably) as one of the greats and the movie has become a darling of the liberal community that makes up much of the Academy. (Again, I don’t understand why; the liberals, in my humble opinion, are portrayed as selfish nihilists here, not altruistic warriors.) So, the Oscar nom is a guarantee. And that’s entertainment for you.
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