DDL and the cinematography carried this film and did manage to pull me in pretty intensely. While there were certainly some stale and almost dull periods during the film, one of my main criteria for judging films is how long a film keeps the gears turning in my head afterwards. This movie left me with much to ponder and process afterwards, searching for themes, relevance, and symbolism. As a comparison, I enjoyed "No Country for Old Men" much more. It also contained much violence, great cinematography, and an abrupt ending that left me thinking about the events that occurred for days afterwards, but it was also just more enjoyable experience during the movie, and unlike "There Will Be Blood," I'd watch it again.