Une bataille après l'autre

Props to writer / director Paul Thomas Anderson for blending "The Big Lebowski" & "Sicario" into the darkly humorous, quietly epic actioner "One Battle After Another". 16yrs after being part of a domestic terrorist group (with Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, & others) stoner Leonardo Di Caprio (so good again) lives off-grid with Chase Infiniti (his daughter by Taylor)... til the past comes for them via manic army Col Sean Penn (excellent). Cue reasonably twisty chase & shoot 'em up action, with characters like Benicio Del Toro (also great), white supremacist politicians, and plot holes aplenty (excusable as they keep Anderson's terrific pace flowing). Not flawless, but still thumping entertainment.

Yes , during the movie i did kinda get confused in wtf is going on. But the actors in this were top shelf epic. *applause* they made the movie. The script or how they showed this. I really dont know. Maybe thats what the movie did, made us think. But i do have to say, the ending was a great one.

Its worth watchin 8/10.

The movie "One Battle After Another", in summary, is about a former revolutionary on a mission to save his missing daughter. Directed and co-written by Paul Thomas Anderson, it's a thrilling political action flick that really shows off, once again, his talent for both writing and directing. However, the movie isn't consistent in its construction; at times it's unconvincing, and other times it feels unfocused. More than once, I had the same reaction I did with last year's "Emilia Pérez": a wildly original story that often seems to jump around without much logic, where anything can happen.

The whole movie basically belongs to Sean Penn as Col. Lockjaw. He totally steals the show with a character who's creepy, unhinged, and downright disturbing.

Like "Emilia Pérez", it's one of those stories you're either into from the start or you just don't care about at all.

Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another is a film that wants to be epic but ends up didactic. There's no denying its technical accomplishments: the cinematography is vivid, almost painterly at times, and Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn deliver performances that are magnetic, commanding your attention even when the story falters.

And falter it does. The film's ambition - to comment on political extremism - is undercut by its simplistic moral universe. One side of the conflict is portrayed as entirely evil, with no redeeming qualities or relatability. Every action they take is chaotic, violent, or manipulative, leaving the audience with no one to sympathize with on that side. This lack of nuance turns the movie from a story into a political lecture, making it feel less like cinema and more like ideological instruction.

In a moment when America feels more divided than ever, the timing of such a film is jarring. Its portrayal of chaos and extremism is so stark that it risks being taken too seriously by audiences at either extreme, rather than prompting reflection. More troublingly, it underscores how out of touch Hollywood can be with most Americans, presenting a world of ideological extremes that few viewers would recognize in real life.

Still, the film isn't without merit. Anderson's eye for detail, his visual inventiveness, and the sheer force of DiCaprio and Penn's performances make it watchable even when it preaches. But for a director capable of deep, character-driven storytelling, this attempt at political commentary feels like a missed opportunity.

Battle after another is a solid film with a lot of strong points. It's generally warm and even has a bit of light raunchiness at the start, yet it keeps you engaged. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is outstanding-he plays an ordinary guy thrown into tough situations with incredible sincerity and conviction. Benicio Del Toro, though in a smaller role, adds charisma as well. The female characters, unfortunately, feel pretty shallow and lack depth.

The plot is simple but enjoyable, though there are minor logical gaps. The main downside is the antagonists: some feel too overpowered, while others seem weak, and the motives of many minor villains remain unclear. At times, their actions come off as clichéd, which slightly reduces the dramatic tension.

Overall, the film works really well-it's fresh, engaging, and visually impressive. It reminded me of Fargo, both the film and the series. If you like Leonardo DiCaprio or the Coen brothers, this movie is definitely worth watching.