Phantom Thread (2017)

Phantom Thread

I’m having a hard time finding any flaws with this film right now. Not that I go out of my way to find them, it’s just that if there are obvious flaws, they tend to stick out. In this case, nothing is sticking out. I think the only thing that I can complain about is the pacing, which feels just the slightest bit off. But that’s literally it. I love how this film is almost a generic rom-com, yet it’s so much different. It’s a twisted, tortured relationship between two people that reminds me a lot of a rose. On the outside, and from a distance, it seems to be pretty, but once you look closer, there’s thorns waiting to prick you. It’s a beautiful, almost tragic story that makes you squirm at times, but also makes you feel content. There’s some scenes where I was very emotionally invested and could really feel the energy and chemistry between Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps. You feel trapped in between them, and everything that happens between them is happening to you too. However, there’s also some scenes that genuinely make you laugh and forget all the little thorns. PTA once again shows why he’s the master of the screenplay. Everything he puts into his writing is incredible. The depth, the detail, the personalities, the tension. Absolute masterclass of a film. The performances absolutely surpassed my expectations, which is saying a LOT. When I watch PTA, I expect top tier acting, which you almost always get. Day-Lewis got an Oscar nomination, and he probably should’ve won. His soft spoken voice mixed with his judgmental, impatient, and almost dangerous personality was very entertaining. Vicky Krieps was snubbed of a nomination, and she brings almost as much as Day-Lewis does, if not more. My last few thoughts are that the cinematography was extremely beautiful and captures a lot of the time, the costume design was gorgeous and authentic, and the original score by Jonny Greenwood was one of the best scores I’ve ever heard from film this century. Overall, this is a near perfect film, and one of PTA’s best. I’m mad I haven’t watched it sooner, and I’d recommend it to all drama/romance fans. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go check it out now!