Plainview starts the scene flat on his face, his lowest point.Eli begins the scene with initial dominance as the scene plays out: The scene uses direction and dialogue to convey jostling equity between the two men. How the characters gradually move from certain positions and perceived roles to others helps make the scene compelling to watch. Screenwriters looking to write unforgettable character studies can take many lessons from the “ I Drink Your Milkshake!” scene. Plainview can see that Eli wants something and speaks curtly to manoeuvre Eli into revealing the true purpose of his visit. Eli continues to be contrite, sycophantic and fawning, using many words and florid sentences. The early dialogue fixes the film’s endgame from the start. Daniel Plainview….it’s Eli.”ĭaniel immediately establishes his contempt for Eli with one line: Eli begins the scene with a flamboyant entrance and word repetition: The scene covers about seven pages of the There Will Be Blood script, which is on the longer side of scene lengths in the film. However, so much is achieved with the dialogue spoken before those immortal lines are uttered. Screenwriters and fans are quick to describe the entire scene by imitating the lines “I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!”. And the dialogue used in this scene effectively achieves both of these goals. Scenes should either move the plot forward or expand character. The dialogue is fundamental to the success of the “ I Drink Your Milkshake” scene.
Moreover, the set and costumes emphasize the competing and equally corrupting forces of religion and capitalism. Eli flaunts his status wearing a large gaudy pearlised cross.
These remain in shot for the first third of the scene, constantly reinforcing Plainview’s spiteful nature. Seen above, to Eli’s left, are two glasses which Plainview uses to pour two shots of bourbon for himself.The bowling alley also includes a prominent bar with wood panelling reminiscent of the pulpit.The alley is an ivory cage of Plainview’s own making. The bulbs are too bright, reflecting the shiny polished floor. Instead, we see bright orb-shaped bulbs which mimic real light. On the surface he has finally gentrified, yet it’s strange to see. We are unused to seeing Plainview in the modern trappings of wealth.When the drink is mentioned it doesn’t feel out of place as it represents youthful decadence. Milkshakes are often consumed in bowling alleys.Here, the majority of the sound comes only from the two voices until later on in the scene. Bowling alleys are noisy and celebratory.It’s a symbol of capitalist decadence, a somewhat American tradition turned into something akin to a trophy. This set takes a pastime accessible to many – bowling – and elevates it to an otherworldly, wealthy pursuit by making it private, empty and devoid of emotion.Everything feels closely attuned in order to speak to the story and its themes. This production design elevates the scene for a number of reasons. Something feels off and claustrophobic as Eli arrives to speak with Plainview. The “ I Drink Your Milkshake” scene takes place in an unusual space, a spacious private bowling alley. Production design is something that screenwriters should consider in their script writing. With this knowledge though, one can see the additional layers of meaning Anderson weaves into this final scene. Without this foreknowledge, the “I Drink Your Milkshake” scene still works as a feat of dramatic tension, if bordering on farce. So all this has pushed Daniel into decline. This causes HW to walk out on him, also threatening to compete with him business-wise. Since then, Plainview has revealed that HW was just a “bastard from a basket” and not his son. Previously, Eli had publicly humbled Plainview by confronting him about abandoning his son, HW. Eli’s character personifies an unhealthy relationship between religion and American wealth and capitalism. The “ I Drink Your Milkshake” scene shows the confrontation between Plainview and Eli Sunday, a preacher whose church resides on a neighbouring oil field. His hubris, together with the toll of his sacrifice, has turned him into a barely functioning alcoholic. Plainview’s private hurt is revealed in his fondness for destructive, hurtful language. In this process, he has alienated those closest to him. Plainview has moved from tenacious trailblazer to rich, successful oil tycoon. The Milkshake scene is the finale of There Will be Blood.
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