One Battle After Another: for better or for worse, the storyline of Paul Thomas Anderson’s film seems to have walked out of a present-day newscast and jumped quickly into a random name generator before coming to the silver screen. That makes this film not quite a pleasant watch, as it hits too close to home, but it is entertaining and quite gonzo at times. Spanning 16 years, the film sets a group of California freedom fighters (or terrorists, if the military force in the movie has any say in it) who try to save immigrants from internment camps against the Armed forces. Taking center stage are a beautiful and ferocious leader of the group (played quite well by Teyana Taylor), her lover (Leonardo DiCaprio plays the stoner revolutionary, a bit of a loser, absolutely in love with her and her memory), their daughter (Chase Infiniti is luminous as the proud and resourseful kid), and the fascist man in charge of the anti-immigration efforts (Sean Penn, performing quite well the hateful antagonist, helped by a buffed physique and stupid hair). The performances are generally quite effective.

Cinematographer Michael Bauman moves the camera elegantly, and editor Andy Jurgensen gives the film excellent pace, making this a lengthy film that never overstays its welcome. Composer Jonny Greenwood contributes with a distressing, often dissonant musical score.