Review of Phantom Thread (2017) by Metaknightmare — 29 Dec 2017

The film is beautifully done and is unique. It sticks in your mind long after you leave. It's funny, dark, romantic and haunting. Paul Thomas Anderson directs, writes and for the first time in a long time, handles the cinematography which he deserves a nomination for, for the sake of recognition at least.

A couple of years ago, I remember watching a Q&A of PTA and cast for Inherent Vice and a woman from the audience made a comment that PTA is "obsessed with masculinity" which he seemed shocked by.

It seems that observation has somehow challenged him to do something more feminine. So he creates a film filled with women and only 3 main characters, two being women and one being an effeminate man who works on fashion and loves his mum.

Now it is safe to say the film, like Daniel Day Lewis' character, is "obsessed with femininity" being romantic, filled with food and surrounded by attire. Obsession is even mentioned in Q&A and interviews for this film.

Not sure if the comment was merely coincidence but I still feel even though this film can be grouped with the other ones he's made about irritated and intense men (The Master, TWBB, PDL), at least it explores and surrounds itself in a cocoon of gentleness which I believe has made PTA grow as a storyteller.

It's also a bit strange even though not as much as Altman's 3 Women, it still has this appealing, indelible weirdness stuck to it. Surely will be looked back on as a masterpiece. I was lucky to see the film in 70mm and it was a great watch with a great audience.

I hope you have a similar experience. Thanks for reading.