Phantom Thread arrived in a veil of secrecy and aloofness, as is now characteristic of Paul Thomas Anderson's work - at least in this writer's uncultured eyes. Few knew what to expect of the six-time Academy Award-nominated feature length, supposedly boasting the final screen performance from acting legend Daniel Day-Lewis. Even now, days after seeing the film for the first time, I remain reluctant to categorise the experience beyond being being completely unique and original - but that simply does not take away from the sheer pleasure of a film as sumptuous as Phantom Thread.
Attempting to recreate the air of mystery the film excels because of myself, spoilers will be avoided where possible and I'll certainly try not to divulge too much - but do proceed with caution as certain plot elements will be implied and implicated.
Dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Day-Lewis) - get those chuckles out the way, folks - meets a young waitress, Alma Elson (Vicky Krieps), on a countryside retreat, with whom he becomes smitten; she becomes a muse, a lover and assistant for his meticulous work. Despite initial distrust from Reynolds' sister and business-partner Cyril (Lesley Manville), Reynolds and Alma's tantalising relationship eventually becomes fraught, defined by patterns of bickering and fighting until his health takes a turn for the worse, requiring Alma to become his career, too.
Phantom Thread's ambiguity plays an astonishing part in the film's impact: I cannot tell you how much this film has grown on me with distance, and by knowing so little about it before immersing myself in the rich world. Immediately after viewing, I sat in complete befuddlement attempting to translate my thoughts into words -- now, having left the film to swirl and settle over a number of days, my thoughts are hopefully more insightful and developed now.
Phantom Thread a puzzle-box of a feature-length, a masterful accomplishment both carefully and lovingly crafted. A story of toxicity and love and subversion and control, it's as nuanced as it is detailed, a delicious slice of melodrama that worms its way under your skin and stays embedded there for hours, days, weeks. Anderson's script is oozing with flair and substance, dialogue era-appropriate and graceful; it's a well-balanced affair too, with the comedic sensibilities aiding the dark melodrama simmering beneath, the intoxicating romance at the centre and vice versa. The story itself is surprisingly straightforward and it rarely feels the need to complicate itself with needless flourishes or distractions; it's as comfortable in its simplicity as a lady is dashing in a dress from the House of Woodcock. It's subdued but never dull, constantly engaging and utterly transfixing.
Anderson excels with both a pen and a camera in his hand, imparting his vision with the grandeur and opulence on the screen we have come to expect from his work. Enhanced by wonderful cinematography - a 'collaborative effort', he calls it - the aesthetic control is impeccable; the power struggle that plays out between Reynolds and Alma is reflected so effortlessly in the framing and angles utilised and one moment - during a photoshoot for the Woodcock collection - is even more satisfying on reflection. Calling Anderson a clever and competent director is really underselling the talent and skill he showcases in Phantom Thread, a film of both visual and intellectual depth.
Impossibly brilliant, Jonny Greenwood's score is utterly immersive. As mentioned, it has been a handful of days since watching Phantom Thread -- but Greenwood's score is so richly orchestrated and so easily re-immersed me back into the film's world and atmosphere. It is a sign of truly phenomenal craftsmanship. As unique as the film itself, Greenwood's collection is so emotionally evocative and stirring that I'd go as far as to call it one of the most effective and powerful scores in quite some time; it's neck-and-neck for me with Hans Zimmer's Dunkirk and Alexandre Desplat's The Shape of Water in the Original Score race. Unbelievably outstanding, Greenwood yet again demonstrates himself as one of the finest composers working today.
If this truly is Daniel Day-Lewis's cinematic swansong, then what a triumphant note to be concluding on. Day-Lewis delivers a characteristically assured and reliant performance that so expertly balances the various tones and genres Phantom Thread considers and dabbles in; whether it's one of the film's many, effortlessly hilarious one-liners or the thematic darkness at its core, Day-Lewis finds the equilibrium so masterfully, ensuring that Phantom Thread is a ravishing experience to marinade in from beginning to end.
Despite the legendary status, experience and acclaim of Day-Lewis, his two co-stars shine just as brightly: Luxembourg actress Vicky Krieps is so enchanting as Alma, instantly likeable and tremendously compelling -- dark secrets and all. Her silence conveys a thousand words and her body language speaks even louder, registering a subtle and nuanced performance that easily ranks as one of the year's finest lead performances. Krieps symbolises femininity, subversion and dominance, very often in the same breath, while bearing the twists and turns of the narrative; it's such a well-rounded, complex performance -- and to come out of it almost stealing the show entirely is the highest testament of her talent. A gorgeously fascinating performance.
Scoring a Supporting Actress nomination, Lesley Manville is Phantom Thread's secret weapon. Sharply comic but crucial to the melodrama, Manville commits to an almost thankless role with a riveting turn, playing both accomplice and witness astoundingly. It's astonishing work really and Manville makes what could be a throwaway character essential to Phantom Thread's success. As it stands, I'm rooting for her to scoop the award next month.
Phantom Thread would not be remotely believable or convincing if it was not for the team of costume designers with a double load, required to work on both the actors and Woodcock's creations -- although Day-Lewis himself supposedly did a lot of the work too. Every gown and number is meticulously detailed, with creative, era-suited flourishes to each; they are a stunning work of art, so deserving of the award recognition. The team should be truly thrilled with their efforts.
There's so, so very little to fault with Phantom Thread and my love, admiration and appreciation has only grown with distance and reflection. It is a thing of ravishing beauty, with a darkness and toxicity at its core wholly transfixing and compelling. Thread's major players - Anderson, Day-Lewis, Krieps, Manville, Greenwood and the art department - deliver a delicious slice of melodrama that would simply not be the same without any of their efforts. This is the definition of an ensemble, talent oozing from those both infront of and behind the camera. Phantom Thread is such accomplished filmmaking, cinematically exquisite and so finely-woven. Dare I say a masterpiece?
Summary: A delicious slice of melodrama as exquisite as it is transfixing, Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread is a wholly unique cinematic experience that only seems to improve with distance. If this truly is Daniel Day-Lewis' swansong, then what a sumptuous note to bow-out on.
Phantom Thread would not be remotely believable or convincing if it was not for the team of costume designers with a double load, required to work on both the actors and Woodcock's creations -- although Day-Lewis himself supposedly did a lot of the work too. Every gown and number is meticulously detailed, with creative, era-suited flourishes to each; they are a stunning work of art, so deserving of the award recognition. The team should be truly thrilled with their efforts.
There's so, so very little to fault with Phantom Thread and my love, admiration and appreciation has only grown with distance and reflection. It is a thing of ravishing beauty, with a darkness and toxicity at its core wholly transfixing and compelling. Thread's major players - Anderson, Day-Lewis, Krieps, Manville, Greenwood and the art department - deliver a delicious slice of melodrama that would simply not be the same without any of their efforts. This is the definition of an ensemble, talent oozing from those both infront of and behind the camera. Phantom Thread is such accomplished filmmaking, cinematically exquisite and so finely-woven. Dare I say a masterpiece?
★★★★★★★★★☆
(9/10)
Summary: A delicious slice of melodrama as exquisite as it is transfixing, Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread is a wholly unique cinematic experience that only seems to improve with distance. If this truly is Daniel Day-Lewis' swansong, then what a sumptuous note to bow-out on.