The Master is a 2012 American psychological drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2012, where it won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film. In addition, Anderson won the Silver Lion for Best Director and both Phoenix and Hoffman won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the festival. The Master was released in theaters in the United States on September 14, 2012, to critical acclaim; its performances (particularly those from the three leads), screenplay, direction, plausibility, and realistic portrayal of post-World War II Americans were praised.