Review of Phantom Thread (2017) by Manicure — 22 Nov 2020

"Phantom Thread" is a sober and elegant film whose austerity hides a great deal of complexity. Paul Thomas Anderson's sophisticated filmmaking is now focused on the untold, with details like colors, small objects, sounds, subtle gestures, and glances being as important as the dialogues to understand the nuances of his storytelling.

Despite the film being the analysis of a twisted and toxic relationship characterized by emotional dependency, self-centeredness, dominance and mother complex, the tone is usually warm and gentle, as if it was a classic romantic comedy with Hitchcockian glimpses. It's an interesting experiment from one of our generation's most capable directors, but unfortunately felt a bit too distant and unengaging on an emotional level. I know it's a highly unpopular opinion, but I was not particularly fond of the two leads.