Back Beyond (2013)

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

A different way of telling a story

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

P.T. Anderson makes a groundbreaking collection of unused scenes of his exceptional film "The Master". Instead of the usual set of clips most directors make for their DVD's as bonus material with scenes randomly presented, Anderson hold together 20 minutes of images, mostly moments that were cut short from scenes that made to the final cut, and the bridge he constructed with those comes from several music pieces and medleys that fit the movie and its atmosphere. In the end, it feels like a more mysterious film than "The Master" already is, and a good lesson on how directors should make their film trailers - at least, it's least clichéd, doesn't tell the whole movie and makes you deeply interested in the project. Among the greatest moments are a beautiful and long continuous shot of Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) running to his lost ship, after spending the night with a beautiful girl; more joyful dancing scenes of Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman); a conversation on books and its mortal power; and the gag reel that closes this film with Phoenix and Hoffman breaking characters because of a funny quote, that scene was repeated a few times. Since they used one gag reel, I felt disappointed that the funniest one from the movie isn't here (that can be found on YouTube as well). During the elevator scene, if you remember, all the characters are assembled in a serious manner (an excellent shot, by the way), annoyed by the skeptic intruder who attended their meeting. While filming it, an actor in the background farts, very loudly - not sure if it's because he was too close to the boom mic or because of the silence in the place - and everybody, Hoffman, Adams, Rami Malek and a few others can't help but explode in laughter and talk about it. Everyone cracks up in that limited set...except Joaquin who stayed dead serious through the whole thing. It's an hilarious sequence and perhaps Mr. Anderson decided to not include in "Back Beyond" because it would be a little off place. But in any case, this is a masterwork of deleted scenes. 9/10 RIP Phil and Christopher Evan Welch

So sorry to lose one of our great actors. I especially loved Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance in "The Master". I thought it one of his best. I found the video of "Back Beyond" on You Tube and it is great to watch if you're a fan of the film and the actors. It fills in some holes for those familiar with the film and of previews of the film which included scenes not in the theatrical release. The scene at the very end with Hoffman and Phoenix is sweet, funny, and now so poignant . My thanks go out to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his wonderful work. My sympathies go out to Mimi O'Donnell, and to their three children. He has left us with an impressive which we can watch and cherish .