Review of Phantom Thread (2017) by Ben S — 14 Jan 2018

Phantom Thread follows Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) a successful dress maker from London in the 1950's who puts his entire life into his work. He never has time for anything else for in his life except his dress making business he runs with his sister (Lesley Manville). It is no different when Alma (Vicky Krieps) enters his life. But she isn't going to let Reynolds dismiss her.

Phantom Thread is an interesting project for writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson. He uses an incredibly minimal cast. Which goes against what he has done for so much of his career. Packing as much raw acting talent as he can into his films. With stories following multiple character threads intertwining each other. Phantom Thread, however, may be his most stripped out film yet. But no less beautiful.

There is no officially credited cinematographer. His usual cinematographer Robert Elswit was unable to shoot Phantom Thread due to scheduling conflicts. Paul Thomas Anderson does take the reigns of cinematographer but refuses to take sole credit. Giving props to his long time camera operator Colin Anderson, the first assistant cameraman Erik Brown, and grip Jeff Kunkel. Paul Anderson is quoted saying "It was a team effort". Well, thanks to that team effort, we do get a beautifully shot movie here. The camera floats through elegant scenes of Lewis taking measurements or cutting fabric. The camera is not as obvious a tool as in some of Paul Thomas Anderson's previous films. Where there are huge elaborate long takes. But more of a silent observer. Gracefully moving throughout the story.

Jonny Greenwood has now built up quite a rapport with Paul Thomas Anderson, this now marks the fourth film he has scored for him. Jonny matures significantly with this score however. There are very strong similarities in the scores of the previous three Paul Thomas Anderson films. But with this one Jonny orchestrates scores of violins to help build tension in a much more elegant and refined manor instead of the choppy and manic tension he builds in There Will Be Blood.

Paul Thomas Anderson has always had a knack for getting the most out of his actors. This, of course, is an easy feat when dealing with the likes of Daniel Day Lewis. Who is, to no ones surprise, flawless in this film. He embodies Reynolds Woodcock completely. Every interaction, every tick, every movement seems completely natural to that character. He gives a rarely contained and subtle performance in this film. Making all his small interactions and expressions even more noticeable and crucial to understanding the character. The only question mark when dealing with a great actor like Daniel Day-Lewis is not whether or not HE will be great. But instead, whether or not the supporting cast around him can keep up. And Anderson has found some gems in Lesley Manville and especially in Vicky Krieps. Vicky Krieps is absolutely brilliant in this film. She goes toe to toe with Daniel Day Lewis emotionally throughout the film. Her character is strong but we see hints of her country innocence and charm as she is thrust into this world of fine culture and wealth. She refuses to give in, but is more than just stubborn, she is incessantly determined. One of my favorite traits of a Paul Thomas Anderson film is how he loves to let the camera roll. He lets the actors really plays scenes out. And will wait long after the dialogue of an interaction is done being given to cut. This is where great actors really get to shine. We get to see every expression and reaction even after a scene seems it may be finished. It's these brief moments in between interactions where we sometimes really see the character for who they are. Daniel Day Lewis and Philip Seymour Hoffman have really taken full advantage of this style before in Anderson's films. And here Daniel Day-Lewis does it well here with Vicky Krieps.

Phantom Thread is a hard movie to categorize. Gorgeous cinematography and set design help build the framework for this period piece. We have a remarkable script and some actors working at their best. And a Greenwood score flowing through filling the scenes with beauty but also a sense that something is looming just out of sight. We get a beautiful love story, with quite a bit of suspense. When it comes down to it there is very little in this movie I can even find to criticize this film. It is one of Paul Thomas Anderson's strongest films. It truly is remarkable in every way.