While a teaser trailer gave everyone a taste of what to expect earlier today, at Cannes we got a lot more footage from the film which again looks like another unique, cinematic world conjured by Paul Thomas Anderson. Starting with the voiceover and similiar bits of the same pieces from the trailer, the footage unspooled showed much, much more from the film. The first thing to note was that Joaquin Phoenix's character, named Freddie Sutton in the script leaked last year, is now named Freddie Quell. Falling along the general plot we already know, Freddie comes into the orbit of the enigmatic leader of a -- religion? cult? -- led by Philip Seymour Hoffman. And let's be clear -- while the name Scientology isn't mentioned, this is clearly very inspired by the religion. While in recent months the production has taken steps -- perhaps for legal reasons -- to avoid drawing direct parallels, it's something that's going to be very hard to deny.

Wearing a pencil moustache and carrying an air of ambition and importance, not only does Hoffman look like L. Ron Hubbard, in the reel we saw, he describes himself as (among many other things) a writer, doctor and theoretical physicist. Those are all terms that have been used to describe Hubbard over the years. And there are more clues throughout, including some scenes from a very confident looking Amy Adams, who plays Hoffman's wife Mary-Sue, saying that the the "only way to defend ourselves, is to attack." Sound like any lawsuit-happy religious group you've heard of? And the final scene we were shown might as well be from an auditing session, with Hoffman's leader peppering Freddie Quell with a serious of personality test style questions.

The Master (The First Trailer haz arrived!)
http://youtu.be/9oZDKFoCqAw
The Playlist
Cannes Report: First Footage From 'The Master' Impresses & Yes It's About Scientology
By Kevin Jagernauth | May 21, 2012 4:03 PM
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/ ... -20120521#

It’s pretty clear from last night’s screening that “The Master,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is all about the early days of Scientology. Philip Seymour Hoffman is clearly playing L. Ron Hubbard, creating his cult religion with the help of his wife (Amy Adams). In the clip reel we saw, Joaquin Phoenix is some kind of drifter who gets involved with the couple and become Hoffman’s right hand man.
more in article...

According to two individuals close to the movie, Anderson recently screened the film, loosely based on the life of Scientology-founder L. Ron Hubbard, for Cruise.

Both individuals said that Cruise “had issues” with some parts of the movie. Cruise starred in one of Anderson’s earlier movies, “Magnolia,” and the two remain friends.
more in article...

It’s pretty clear from last night’s screening that “The Master,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, is all about the early days of Scientology. Philip Seymour Hoffman is clearly playing L. Ron Hubbard, creating his cult religion with the help of his wife (Amy Adams). In the clip reel we saw, Joaquin Phoenix is some kind of drifter who gets involved with the couple and become Hoffman’s right hand man.

Phoenix in real life has been on a sabbatical from acting. So it’s kind of interesting that he took this role. He and his family grew up in a cult in Florida, where the kids all changed their names. But the acting from all three principals in the clips was superb. Whatever PTA has in mind, it’s going to be controversial. Scientology doesn’t like people messing with their made up history. This should cause quite a discussion.

Scientology and celebrities are back in the news, it seems. There are reports that Anderson showed Tom Cruise a cut of “The Master”–it’s unconfirmed, and why PTA would do this is unusual except that Cruise appeared in the director’s “Magnolia” a few years ago. Maybe he insisted. And “Men in Black 3″ star Will Smith (See sidebar link next to this story) is putting big money into a grade school he and wife Jada Pinkett Smith started which teaches Scientology study methods to kids.

Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson has screened his new film about a Scientology-like sect leader for Tom Cruise, Scientology’s most famous follower, in the hopes of heading off a conflict with the group, TheWrap has learned.

According to two individuals close to the movie, Anderson recently screened the film, loosely based on the life of Scientology-founder L. Ron Hubbard, for Cruise.


Both individuals said that Cruise “had issues” with some parts of the movie. Cruise starred in one of Anderson’s earlier movies, “Magnolia,” and the two remain friends.

Also read: Cannes Weinstein Preview: ‘Django Unchained,’ ‘The Master’ and ‘Silver Linings Playbook’

The film is set to be released in October.

When reached by TheWrap, a spokeswoman for Cruise had no immediate comment.

A spokesman for the Church of Scientology told TheWrap they had not seen the film and could not comment on it.

The Church of Scientology, which vigorously defends itself from outside critics, has many followers among Hollywood stars, including actor John Travolta.

One of the individuals close to the movie told TheWrap that the Weinstein Company also intended to show the film to Travolta.

Also read: 'Inside Scientology' Author: 'They Have the Goods on Everybody'

The movie has not yet been screened, so its full plot and tone is not yet known. Weinstein released the trailer from the Cannes Film Festival on Monday.

The church, long criticized for some of its practices, was the subject of an investigative article in the New Yorker last year that accused some leaders of physically abusing adolescent members and beating adults. The article included interviews with director Paul Haggis, a former Scientologist who has come out as one of the religion's fiercest critics.

Anderson, who is still completing the film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, wrote and directed the story about a charismatic leader Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman) – referred to as The Master – who creates a cult-like movement called The Cause.

The similarities to Hubbard include the post-World War II time frame and Dodd’s taking a trip on a boat during which he arrives at a new philosophy and creates a faith-based movement.

Phoenix plays a troubled drifter seeking a path who becomes Dodd’s right-hand man.

Both the director and movie distributor, the Weinstein Company, are debating how to approach the similarities with Scientology – whether to acknowledge them openly or keep the matter at arm's length.

The reaction of the group’s most prominent members will likely be a part of that decision.

The $42 million budget film was fully financed by producer Megan Ellison, daughter of Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison, who took on the project after she learned that Anderson could not get financing anywhere.

Both the director and movie distributor, the Weinstein Company, are debating how to approach the similarities with Scientology – whether to acknowledge them openly or keep the matter at arm's length.

The reaction of the group’s most prominent members will likely be a part of that decision.