The sequence of events also made more sense.
While I rather enjoy the new discoveries, this counts as a flaw in the film... most of this stuff should be clear enough in the original viewing.
3dRevelation wrote:The way I see it PTA had 2 options for the story he wanted to present: The first one is the option he chose in that he examines the relationship between The Master and Joaquin Phoenix; The second is conceivably one in which The Master takes center stage over Phoenix and the film is more about the philosophy of the Cause.
I can see that, but I still think it's much more simple.
I think it's simply a look at the religion/cult (as it grows) from a member who ultimately decided not to follow.
I think it was rather obvious that Joaquin tried to believe and that Hoffman tried to convince/accept him.
[spoiler]Joaquin seem genuinely upset that he can't seem to "get it"; He gets extremely frustrated at his session after the jail house. He seems envious of Malek's character for being an upstanding member.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Hoffman seems to accept Joaquin unconditionally, he doesn't seem to care much about his drinking problem. After Joaquin's outbreaks, Hoffman seems to repeatedly giving him second changes; accepts him back after the prison scene, he reaches out to him/finds him at the movie theater.[/spoiler]
I take back my comment regarding the out-of-sync / misplaced (Pulp Fiction style) scenes.
Now understanding the story a bit better, it does seem to flow chronologically.
Certain scenes still seem odd to me; [spoiler]like Hoffman signing and all the ladies being naked but none of the men. Joaquin looks like he's hiding/laying down/calmly watching; is this a dream sequence? or reality? Can't quite make to much sense of it.[/spoiler]
There are also some scenes which seems contradictory to the characters development, not sure what that's about either.
I missed this the first time but caught it the second time and really liked it, a line towards the end of the movie, at Hoffman & Joaquins last interaction;
[spoiler]If we meet again, in the next life, you will be my sworn enemy and I will show you no mercy.[/spoiler]