Review of Phantom Thread (2017) by Keithdow — 24 Jan 2018

For any cinephile, going to the theater to see the latest Daniel Day-Lewis movie is considered mandatory viewing. The same goes for director Paul Thomas Anderson, who, like Day-Lewis, opts for quality over quantity by selectively releasing a piece of work once every 3 to 5 years. When combined, as they've done with 'Phantom Thread' (and the second such instance following 2007's 'There Will Be Blood'), the necessity in seeing the film is given an order of magnitude greater importance.

At best, 'Phantom Thread' stands to receive a polarizing reaction from viewers. It's a fine (I'd say perhaps even exemplary) film within the drilled-down genre of "English-set period-piece romantic dramas." However, when judged from a broader perspective, the film is simply far less captivating than either Day-Lewis' or Anderson's prior work, and the rather esoteric ending leaves audience members wishing the two had dedicated their respective time and effort to another pursuit.