Based loosely on the 1990 Thomas Pynchon novel “Vineland”, Paul Thomas Anderson decides to update the story to current time.  A story that in the book takes place in 1984 reflecting on events of the late sixties.  PTA erases the nostalgia trappings that are featured while keeping intact the infamous chaotic conspiracy world that Pynchon relishes in. A world that is a stage for the signature of Pynchon stories , an abundance of outrageous contradicting and hypocritical characters. It’s a staple of those tropes of Pynchon that most likely was a magnetic draw for PTA to adapt the novel to film, because primarily both PTA and Pynchon’s stories hardly feature a hero or anything remotely heroic. It stands out that simply the only heroic thing in their stories is simply to have morals. Both are comfortable with more anti-heroes and antagonists.  It seems that it was almost destined for PTA to adapt a Pynchon story.  The result is a solid film that teeters on being great.

By bringing the story up to date PTA is allowed to focus on deep themes of current events, like immigration, police states, military complex, and radical ideologies. The film gives an ebb and flow to the warring conflicts and plays it out with an absolute cast of characters that are not as smart as they think they are, nor as ideal as they think they are.  What plays out juggling acts of the circumstances and events that are invariably linked.  Each character in some way is trying to maintain order while others are letting chaos in. The result is presenting the case that both chaos and control are illusions. The primary message is that whatever conviction you hold on can be let go by leverage. There is villainy in this of course, but each character would claim not to be. I see future award nominations for Sean Penn in this as well as some technical nominations like sound editing. It even has potential for a best picture nomination. All those accolades may be true and have merit, what is most compelling in this film are the female actors. Each one presents the drive and the pure passion of this film. 

“One Battle After Another” might hang its success on the single aspect of timing. It would be difficult to measure how successful  it would be if it was  released last year or were to be released next year. It is poignant and very relevant for today. It is a very unforgettable film. The car chase, the characters, the action all have sustainability in your consciousness long after you view the film. Even if you don’t feel nostalgia for it. 8/10