Oscars 2018: Review- Phantom Thread

Phantom Thread is the newest movie from auteur supreme Paul Thomas Anderson, the genius behind Boogie Nights, the Goodfellas of porn. I haven't seen all his films up to this point and haven't even seen his other pair up with Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will be Blood but I'm yet to see a film of his I haven't enjoyed. The story of Phantom Thread is a little odd in that it sounds very mundane but just bear with it. Reynolds Woodcock is a highly celebrated designer who creates stunning dresses for women in a lifestyle that is heavily self regimented. One day, while out in the country, he finds a waitress who he decides is his new muse and takes her home to model on her and keep her around. Now, the plot is interesting in that it never really heads anywhere extremely out there but still surprised me with the direction it went. It's hardly an exhilirating thrill ride but I was always interested with the little twists that sprung up but honestly, the plot isn't really the point here.

It may not surprise you to hear that the acting in this film is all absolutely exceptional. I'll get it out of the way, Day-Lewis is astounding. Before the film started, I realised that I've never actually seen any other film with Daniel Day-Lewis in before so I can't compare this film to any of this previous ones. What I can say though is that he completely embodies the role of Reynolds Woodcock. He is precise and exact and watching Day-Lewis bring that to life is a dream. There are many parallels between actor and character that could be drawn but for me, the most interesting one is that just as Woodcock hides messages in the seams of his clothes, Day-Lewis hides minuscule details in his expression and body language. Many would expect the rest of the cast to fade under the power of Day-Lewis but actually, that couldn't be further from the truth with Vicky Krieps in the supporting role of Alma. She is just sensational, conveying first innocence and clumsiness before evolving into an entirely different beast. It is only because of her work that the journey feels believable. Also wonderful and sneaky is Lesley Manville as Cyirl, sister of Reynolds. Her grasp on his life seems too firm but you never feel comfortable thinking of her as one thing before she squirms into another position. It's an electric trinity that play together superbly.

With the rest of the film, what I enjoyed most about it was (appropriately) the precision with which it was all made. Visually, the film is a joy and while claims that the cinematography was all done by Paul Thomas Anderson himself have been debunked, whoever was in control of the shots is a genius. They are precise and immaculate but equally they say more about the characters and plot than any line of dialogue could ever say. The score for the film is equally getting praise and while I'm not as in love with it as the critics seem to be, I still think it's wonderfully orchestrated and Jonny Greenwood really knows how to craft it to underline certain scenes or moments. With all this praise said, it's worth mentioning that the film didn't always have me in its intoxicating grasp. Sure, there was many a moment where I was on the edge of my seat and I can't argue that it gripped me more than a film about fashion ever should but for me, some moments felt slower than they needed to be. Anderson has paced this film very deliberately and I appreciate that but on a purely personal level, it didn't always work with me

If you've made it this far into the review, it's probably because you're genuinely interested in the film and on those grounds, I can recommend it. Indeed, despite getting into some negativity back there, this really is a great film. Some will find it tasking but for those who adapt to the pacing, there's a real treat in store. It's no Boogie Nights but it is easily an