Paul Thomas Anderson makes good movies. Not that bold of a statement to make. He's that rare breed of director who makes (SNOB ALERT) art films with a widespread release and appeal. There are plenty of movies of original content that are recognized year in and year out ("Ladybird" and "It Comes At Night", as far as this past 2017 goes), but it's not the same. Anderson comes from the same wave of creativity that birthed Tarantino, the Coen Brothers, Robert Rodriguez, etc. That whole 'name brand director' thing seems to have waned as the years have gone on. But PTA and his ilk still reign high there. So the hopes were pretty high for "Phantom Thread". And y'know what, those hopes were pretty much met.
"Phantom Thread" is the kind of movie that lives and dies on its performances. Hell, half of the selling point here is that "Phantom Thread" is the final role that the titanic Daniel Day-Lewis will be performing. "Phantom Thread" is the kind of movie where the drama is pushed forward by tics of facial expressions, where emotions and thoughts communicated via body language. It's a character focused movie, so one hopes that "Phantom Thread" would bring some dynamite characters. And it does. Day-Lewis is as mesmerizing as he always is- the way the guy moves, speaks and smiles are so effortless and natural you'd think Reynolds Woodcock was a real man. But again, Daniel Day-Lewis being a good actor is not a shocking statement. Fans of Anderson's 2007 "There Will Be Blood" know that already.
The real shocker in "Phantom Thread" Vicky Krieps' performance as Alma Elson. I myself have never seen her in a role before, as she's mostly known for her roles in the Luxembourg, German and French film scenes. But holy crap, her performance is one of quiet amazement. It takes a second or two to really appreciate the depth and nuance in her performance- that the entire crux and thrust of the movie's drama relies on her facial expression. If she messed it up even a little bit, things would become muddled, uncertain, and vague. The drama of the film wouldn't work. But it does. Krieps portrays a character fractured, a complicated mess of a human. And the same goes for Day-Lewis- the audience (or at least me) rides the line between being revolted and intrigued by his character. It's not the kind of performance that exists in "There Will Be Blood"- but that wasn't what the movie was going for here, probably.
"Phantom Thread" is a movie that might not be for everyone. For one, its tone and subject matter are pretty dark. For those looking to escape such real world feelings, "Phantom Thread" might not be for you. Likewise, the driving forces of "Phantom Thread" are quiet, subdued. And not in a pretentious way, but simply in a low key, slow-tension building way. That's what kept me watching the movie- the slow burn of tension, the rising feeling that something very bad was going to happen. So for those who don't want to sit through a movie that keeps its foot on the breaks, "Phantom Thread" also might be one to pass over.
But for those looking for an original story that takes place in a world vastly different than ours (post-war 1950's London), memorable, complicated characters, and a movie that's beautiful to look at, please, give "Phantom Thread" a watch.
