QR Film Review: Phantom Thread

In 2017, three time Academy Award® winner, Daniel Day-Lewis (Gangs of New York, Lincoln) announced his plan retirement from acting with his last film being ‘Phantom Thread’, as directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Inherent Vice), who he had previously worked with on the multi-Oscar winning ‘There Will Be Blood’. The result of Day-Lewis’ last project is in no way a failure, delivering a movie that is arguably a masterpiece, but out of all PT Anderson’s projects, this is, in my opinion, the one with the most acquired taste yet and the taste buds required may be very seldom.

The story follows Reynolds Woodstock, a renowned dress-maker in 1950’s London, who runs a dress-tailoring company for the world’s rich and elite, alongside his sister, Cyril, portrayed by Leslie Manville (Maleficent, North & South). Reynolds’ life is disrupted when he encounters a young woman called Alma, played by the Luxembourgian actress Vicky Krieps, and the two quickly grow fond of each other, but their bond is soon tested by Reynolds’ commitment to his craft and customs.

The three main actors all give stunning performances. Day-Lewis continues to deliver a divine depiction of his character once again and, while maybe not as strong as his Oscar-winning performances as Daniel Plainview or Abraham Lincoln, it certainly carries the film throughout with his unique charm and even his deranged and immoral self-centeredness in some notable parts. Manville is arguably the best performance of the piece, a strong-willed, no-nonsense taking woman, who respects her brother and assists in his craft, but knows when to tell him off and put him in his place.

The direction is also something I wish to praise, as it is notable in the way it illustrates the mood and situation of the film. A notable example is the contrast of colouring and lighting between Reynolds’ two residences; his London homestead, where the home is always full of people working, modelling or doing business and thus sharper colours are used to emanate that this is a place always alive, always busy, and then there’s the cottage home in the countryside that is featured early in the movie, with darker and warmer tones, having more of a homely and relaxing feel. Even the way the dressmaking is handled between each locale is different; with the city home having it handled in the business sense, yet the cottage gives it off as Reynolds’ true passion, with the same care and grace for the craft being emitted, but more of a feeling of joy being brought forward.

The movie initially follows the basic three step love story formula; boy and girl meet and fall in love, one or both mess up and then they break-up and then, near the end, they get back together. There’s a problem I find in that the film maybe follows this strategy too closely at times and has difficulties separating from it, until, later on, there is a noticeable shift in direction and story that, in all honesty, I felt may have been unwarranted and not well set up for the viewer, however, it is in no doubt entertaining and even a quite moving surprise.

Vicky Krieps character also gave me a few problems. We first meet her as a sweet, young server, who gets flung into the tantalising, tailoring world of Reynold’s, becoming infatuated with the entrepreneur. The character develops tremendously throughout the film, however, it does seem like it happens in multiple different ways at once, leading to the point where her motives become somewhat unclear, and even conflicting with herself. Ultimately, I can’t say whether she’s likeable or detestable, sane or crazy, the best part of the movie or the worst. It’s possible this was the way she was meant to be, conflicting both in character and in the perception of the viewer, however, it is, for me, slightly too confusing to tell.

Overall, in all honesty, pretty much every part of this movie makes it amazing; great characters and performances, beautiful direction, exceptional storytelling etc., but it is incredibly difficult for me to recommend it due to its odd movie progression and acquired taste. Upon leaving the screening, I overheard one of my fellow reviewers sum it up to me as ‘a near-perfect film… but I have no idea who to tell to go see it’. My advice, if you have seen PT Anderson’s work before and enjoy it, give this movie your time, otherwise, I honestly don’t know if this is one for you.

Rating: 4/5

Running Time: 130 Minutes

By Lee Smallwood