Watching Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krirps in this film is torture, but precisely because the characters are supposed to be torture for each other. Their relationship always seems to hang by a thread that just won't break, even though it would have been better if it had never been tightened for the good of both of them. Just the basic and very subliminal tension makes me feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
At the end of the film I was glad to have finally seen it, but also not to have to watch it again.
Maybe it’s the setting, maybe it’s the genre, but it doesn’t grab me in the way that PTA’s masterpieces tend to do.
There’s a lot to appreciate: it’s hard to find a mistake in the acting or directing, I love how they crank up the sound effects when this character is getting annoyed, it does take risks.
I like how it plays with the idea of power dynamics in relationships, which maybe is not as entertaining as Gone Girl, but it’s certainly more substantive.
Still, I’m kinda left wanting more. A little more drama perhaps, as it’s a little too quiet and reserved for my liking. Subtlety is a good thing, but I wish it had a few more scenes that popped.
7/10
Those ethereal threads of time unfurling before you.
"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.
Phantom Thread in some way much like the topic of the film seems to be well-crafted, subtle and feels classy, if they can be applied to the overall feeling of a film. Certainly the cinematography, settings and custom work can be considered beautiful and should keep the viewer's interest as the film progresses. All of this of course is window-dressing (no pun intended) if the story and acting holds our interest less. I can easily see how many would be turned off by the slow-burning story of an uptight and picky man who is obsessed with making dresses but for others the whole premise of the story keeps you enthralled. What is going on? Who are these characters? Is that not the basis of any drama? Paul Thomas Anderson asks these questions, answers few and never drinks your milkshake, you see what you come up with when the film ends. This is no bad way to write a story or make a film.
Anderson likes his silences and characters who are not related in any way to Basil Exposition, and this is present in Phantom Thread. He also has a skill of making what are obviously not particularly nice characters somehow ‘okay’. Daniel Day Lewis, in his last film apparently, helps on this score showing why many consider him to be the greatest actor of his generation never showy but always on point with the character and how he behaves, subtle but superb and an exceedingly difficult skill to pull off.
The casting in the film helps its strong showing, Day Lewis is clearly not going drag anything down, but he is more than match by the Vicky Krieps who is truly enigmatic throughout to the point you are never really sure what is driving her throughout the running time. Both performances are shored up by the ever-reliable Lesley Manville showing her chameleon-like ability by playing an utterly different role than you have seen her in before to perfection. She gets the unsympathetic role as the cold, controlling, Cyril. Truth be told all three characters are equally enigmatic and will leave you scratching your head from time to time. Bizarre in this instance is good.
Possibly the most frustrating part of the film is just trying to figure out what you have seen and what the director/writer is trying to say. Is the title Phantom Thread referring to the love we all need that runs through us all? Is the love we need so strong it can override reason and the strongest will, is the need to control…. well, I could go on forever be told I do not know what I am talking about by Paul Thomas Anderson or any of the actors who took part or someone else who saw the film.
I am not sure what I really watched but this is the strength of the film not a weakness, I really liked the slow burn the strange characters, particularly of Reynolds, and what I got from the film.
This I believe is the secret of Anderson’s ambiguity in general, it is what I got from the film, I am sure my wife who watched it with me got something else and I am sure you get another meaning from the story.
This is a great thing, to be applauded.
Beautiful in every way.
This film reaches excellence levels I honestly wasn't expecting. Astonishing cinematography, amazing performances, impeccable soundtrack... All put together in a breathtaking narrative.
I have the deepest regret for not watching it sooner.
“Never cursed”
‘Phantom Thread ’ might be the best film I think I have ever seen. Superb in every sense of the word. It's up there with ‘There Will Be Blood’. For the last couple of days after I watched the film, there was something about it that transcended me into a spell. It felt like a dream. An extraordinary incident was watching this a second time in one week, which is something I rarely do. Better on the second watch, if I must say. Gripped ever tighter in it’s sinister approach to love.
What could've been so boring with its subject matter of the fashion world, something I’m not personally interested in, but made it so fascinating. If you watched the trailer and think you know how things are gonna play out, you’re dead wrong.
Paul Thomas Anderson is one of my favorite directors working today and every movie he makes, just like Scorsese, I'm there. While the film making in the movie isn't anything striking, but didn't need to be. Not to say there wasn't any perfectly framed shots. The way he films cars driving was unique. There's a shot in the movie that's taken right out of ‘A Clockwork of Orange’. This guy can make movies like ‘Boogie Nights (1997)’ - A drug rush of funky disco in 1970’s California. Then makes ‘There Will Be Blood (2007)’ - A slow pace horror movie about oil drilling. And now ‘Phantom Thread (2017)’ - The most British thing ever, set in the 1950’s about fashion with shocking parallels to Hitchcock. Are you beginning to see a pattern here - The mighty 7’s.
Daniel-Day Lewis was absolutely fantastic in this movie - Yeah, what’s new. Of course this needs repeating, because he’s wonderful as the picky prick Reynolds Woodcock. What makes him so enthralling to watch is his special ability to embody his characters down to the smallest details. Sometimes during the film, you get close up of his worn out fingers after touching fabric and you immediately know it’s real. To prepare for the role, Day-Lewis actually made a balenciaga dress from scratch. This guy is a mad genius. Without any words spoken, his reaction when people make eat too loud or irritating little noises are hilarious. If it’s true about his retirement from acting, then he picked a great way to go out. He will be missed.
A standout performance from Vicky Krieps, who plays Alma, the woman Reynolds falls for. Krieps deserves more praise for her powerful performance, as she holds her own against Day-Lewis. Both having great chemistry that’s so sweet and yet messed up. I hope we see more of her in the future.
Lesley Manville plays Cyril, the cold silent type who sniffs out trouble in The House of Woodcock. She serves as a helping hand to Reynolds during difficult times, since both are siblings. Another surprise standout who also goes head to head with Day-Lewis and has some of the funniest lines in the movie. Her Oscar nomination was deserved.
Jonny Greenwood’s score is heaven to my ears. Listening to it feels like a warm blanket wrapped around me. One of the best things I've heard in quite a while.
And of course with it being fashion, the costumes and production designs are all terrific. Mark Bridges and Mark Tildesley crafted an astonishing piece of art that breathes life on to the screen.
Something that doesn't get enough praise is the sound design. Really detailed with every door slam, movement of plates and cutlery, needles going through thread, and crust from bread.
This plays out more like a Brother’s Grimm story than a romance. Characters constantly talk about curses, superstitions and the afterlife. Brides not touching wedding dresses as fear they will never get married. Sewing hidden messages within any fabric. Reynolds sewn a piece of his deceased mother hair into the canvas of his coat, keeping her close to his heart. The story about dressmaking and the artist was never the main focus, but something more ghostly. This refers to an irresistible motion of repeating sewing until the fingers get weary, even through their work are already done. Hence the title “Phantom Thread ”.
Overall Rating: A classic chic.
Kept waiting for it to go somewhere interesting, but it never did.
For me the movie begun as a set of a very eye pleasing of kind of scenes that at got pretty weird towards the end and really creeped me out in a very vertigo-way. It wasn't really fun or entertaining, although I still somehow enjoyed watching it. I really don't know if I liked that movie or not.
Paul Thomas Anderson's latest is more in the vein of There Will Be Blood than Magnolia or Boogie Nights, meaning it's tighly focused on a very small, richly-developed cast rather than a glut of competing, interwoven storylines. Really, there are only three characters who matter: an intense, controlling dress-maker (Daniel Day-Lewis), his steady, all-business sister (Lesley Manville) and his young, headstrong new muse (Vicky Krieps). Their relationship is complicated, a careful balance of ticks, emotions and triggers that frequently threatens to collapse, but somehow manages to remain upright. They badger and provoke each other, testing for weakness between fleeting moments of warmth and compassion, and this flood of dense, competing emotion fuels their creative output.
Like many of Anderson's other films, Phantom Thread is quite slow, breezily coasting through snippets and snapshots of the trio's various liaisons - sibling, professional and romantic - and doesn't always settle on a firm message or meaning. We're merely documenting a small tangle of lives, complete with unsightly quirks and personality-driven hardships, as they learn to coexist and endure/accept one another's shortcomings. It's a film I enjoyed more upon reflection, thinking over the various layers of subtext and character motivation, than I did while I was watching it.
I think I liked it less than the majority because I wanted it to be something more. To explore the theme of domination (hinted at) or weave the dress making it into their love affair (mostly abandoned). While the acting was good it wasn’t all it could have been in my opinion.
Various reservations for this film
omg this was literally relationship goals
Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the greatest directors of this generation, and in this film he weaves a spellbinding tale of love and obsession, with a wonderful attention to detail. As cinema, this is magnificent, with lavish visuals, superb direction, and an intoxicating music score. The film is funny, weird, and desperately human. Surely a 9 or a 10 out of 10 film then... except no. The way the story unfolded during the end threw me a little, and the way the relationship developed didn't ring true. But then again, what do I know? Creatively, it may all make sense so a rewatch may be in order at some point in the future. But for now, as I try to unravel what i perceive to be broken stitches, I will mark the film down a little. Still brilliant, but marred by lingering plot threads.
The most boring movie I've ever seen in my life
I was rewatching Boogie Nights with the commentary and was so high on PTA I decided to finally watch this. I avoided it for the longest time because it looked very boring. It was not! I was hooked from the beginning. Very great.
This comes across as a well made exploration into a fascinating true story about an eccentric historical figure. Except that it isn't true. So then it's a well made exploration into an eccentric fictional character. But, without much happening most of the movie, you'd think it must be leading up to something in the end, to give it some substance. And, the substance turns out to be... poison omelettes. Which sounds much more intriguing than it actually is. After watching this, I just wanted an omelette.
Poetic cinema, and It was shot without a DP yet every frame is a painting !!
Relationship between main characters is pure mommy issues, Reynolds Woodcock is lacking the mother figure so the role alternate between his sister Cyril ( fearless strong exercises authority ) and Lover/ Muse Alma (loving caring possessive)
So in conclusion, phantom thread is about mother-child relationship and it should be right up there with I, Tonya and Lady Bird
Oh boy, what a slow-paced and boring movie. The two leads were super obsessed with each other and towards the ending, really creepy. Also, the relationship was super unhealthy and made no sense! At certain scenes we all looked with disbelief at each other in the theater, just so stupid. Plus, the movie was too long and the only highlights were all the costumes (so pretty!) and the rare but beautiful sass of Cyril.
4/10 I do regret seeing it and I consider the time wasted, but oh well!
Good lord... Those two were super obsessed to each other.
This movie was a little creepy.
“Never cursed”
‘Phantom Thread ’ might be the best film I think I have ever seen. Superb in every sense of the word. It's up there with ‘There Will Be Blood’. For the last couple of days after I watched the film, there was something about it that transcended me into a spell. It felt like a dream. An extraordinary incident was watching this a second time in one week, which is something I rarely do. Better on the second watch, if I must say. Gripped ever tighter in it’s sinister approach to love.
What could've been so boring with its subject matter of the fashion world, something I’m not personally interested in, but made it so fascinating. If you watched the trailer and think you know how things are gonna play out, you’re dead wrong.
Paul Thomas Anderson is one of my favorite directors working today and every movie he makes, just like Scorsese, I'm there. While the film making in the movie isn't anything striking, but didn't need to be. Not to say there wasn't any perfectly framed shots. The way he films cars driving was unique. There's a shot in the movie that's taken right out of ‘A Clockwork of Orange’. This guy can make movies like ‘Boogie Nights (1997)’ - A drug rush of funky disco in 1970’s California. Then makes ‘There Will Be Blood (2007)’ - A slow pace horror movie about oil drilling. And now ‘Phantom Thread (2017)’ - The most British thing ever, set in the 1950’s about fashion with shocking parallels to Hitchcock. Are you beginning to see a pattern here - The mighty 7’s.
Daniel-Day Lewis was absolutely fantastic in this movie - Yeah, what’s new. Of course this needs repeating, because he’s wonderful as the picky prick Reynolds Woodcock. What makes him so enthralling to watch is his special ability to embody his characters down to the smallest details. Sometimes during the film, you get close up of his worn out fingers after touching fabric and you immediately know it’s real. To prepare for the role, Day-Lewis actually made a balenciaga dress from scratch. This guy is a mad genius. Without any words spoken, his reaction when people make eat too loud or irritating little noises are hilarious. If it’s true about his retirement from acting, then he picked a great way to go out. He will be missed.
A standout performance from Vicky Krieps, who plays Alma, the woman Reynolds falls for. Krieps deserves more praise for her powerful performance, as she holds her own against Day-Lewis. Both having great chemistry that’s so sweet and yet messed up. I hope we see more of her in the future.
Lesley Manville plays Cyril, the cold silent type who sniffs out trouble in The House of Woodcock. She serves as a helping hand to Reynolds during difficult times, since both are siblings. Another surprise standout who also goes head to head with Day-Lewis and has some of the funniest lines in the movie. Her Oscar nomination was deserved.
Jonny Greenwood’s score is heaven to my ears. Listening to it feels like a warm blanket wrapped around me. One of the best things I've heard in quite a while.
And of course with it being fashion, the costumes and production designs are all terrific. Mark Bridges and Mark Tildesley crafted an astonishing piece of art that breathes life on to the screen.
Something that doesn't get enough praise is the sound design. Really detailed with every door slam, movement of plates and cutlery, needles going through thread, and crust from bread.
This plays out more like a Brother’s Grimm story than a romance. Characters constantly talk about curses, superstitions and the afterlife. Brides not touching wedding dresses as fear they will never get married. Sewing hidden messages within any fabric. Reynolds sewn a piece of his deceased mother hair into the canvas of his coat, keeping her close to his heart. The story about dressmaking and the artist was never the main focus, but something more ghostly. This refers to an irresistible motion of repeating sewing until the fingers get weary, even through their work are already done. Hence the title “Phantom Thread ”.
Overall Rating: A classic chic.
This movie was horrible it was long and utterly boring, i honestly can;t see why it should be nominated for best picture. I love DDL and his acting was good but other than that it was truly horrible, he knew she was poisoning him at the end so why stay? Did he really love her? i was happy when the end credits came.
This movie was horrible it was long and utterly boring, i honestly can;t see why it should be nominated for best picture. I love DDL and his acting was good but other than that it was truly horrible, he knew she was poisoning him at the end so why stay? Did he really love her? i was happy when the end credits came.
Phantom Thread is an exquisite jazz soliloquy that you adore not for what's in it, but for how it makes you feel. It is a masterly crafted suit that makes you feel like a better person the moment it envelopes you.
The writing is seamless, the cinematography stylish and the soundtrack, my god, Jonny Greenwood's soundtrack is tailor-made to this film. The music in Phantom Thread has a more important role and performs it better than most human actors in lesser films. Speaking of performances, Daniel Day Lewis's swan song appearance is a high note in his career and, while not particularly a stretch for him, it's certainly as elegant and captivating as a Christian Dior corset.
The only flaw in this latest piece in the string of Anderson's successes is the length, for like an imperfectly cut wedding dress, Phantom Thread drags a little towards the end, though not enough to tear us away from its elegance.
I'd comment this movie with only one sentence: is love a sickness or being sick is to love?
By the way, great movie. Great Lewis as always, I just love every way he behaves behind the camera... what an actor!
So very boring, as good an actor as DDL is this film just isn’t entertaining at all.
Interesting idea, strung out longer than it should have been. The acting was great, but the pacing and writing felt like a drag.
Wife's favorite watched together Easy for me to watch Wife very happy
Had to take a 2 hour train journey to see this film and I think it paid off.
Phantom Thread is a glorious film to add to the Paul Thomas Anderson collection with charming performances from both Daniel Day Lewis and Vicky Krieps as the two leads. The story is told with such splendour that every shot from the film is exquisite, making the film even more delightful as it goes on (and apparently there was no DP hired which is crazy). The film did lose me a bit towards the end due to it’s lengthy run-time and simple story but Johnny Greenwood’s score pulled me back into 1950’s London. The last 10 minutes were outstanding in rounding out the story of Reynolds and Alma, which only solidifies Daniel Day Lewis as possibly one of the greatest actors on screen.
The setting of this movie was great. The Story and the cast were very good too. I also dont think that this movie was too long. If you love the master and there will be blood, then you will have fun with this one. 8/10 Points
This is a beautiful film. Beautiful clothes, beautiful people, beautiful scenery. The three lead parts were exquisitely performed. Vicky Krieps was a new discovery for me but her quiet and powerful presence brought strength and enigma to her role. I'll be watching for her in the future. I give this film an 8 (beautiful) out of 10. (And, I learned so much about how to keep a man.)
I wasn't sure I would like this movie but I had to see it to see (possibly) Daniel Day-Lewis' last performance and, obviously, Paul Thomas Anderson. Man, I really got hooked right away. It is shot beautifully. The piano score was wonderful. DDL was fantastic and interesting but the real surprise is how great Vicky Krieps was. Alma is such a fascinating character. To just pick up her life to live with Reynolds. Trying to break his tough shell. Even going as far to poison him, that was crazy! This isn't going to be for everyone but this is a beautiful film.
P.S. This movie has some hilarious scenes. I might not be able to butter toast without thinking of this movie.
Shout by ragreynoldsVIP 7BlockedParentSpoilers2023-05-20T00:21:23Z
"Kiss me, my girl, before I'm sick."
When the credits began to roll, I knew I had seen a good film. But as I went on with the rest of my evening, thoughts of the film circled my mind, and very slowly I began to think more and more highly of it. Wouldn't be surprised if I rated this even higher on a rewatch. An absolute spectacle.