Paul Thomas Anderson has one again delivered a brilliant film with Phantom Thread.
The glamorous upper class of post-World War II London setting is beautifully captured, but what this film will be most remembered for is the incredible work by Daniel Day-Lewis in the lead role.
He's truly one of the greats and it's sad he's calling it quits, but this is a spectacular way to go out.
His character of Reynolds Woodcock is a genius fashion designer, but one with major issues. He's probably what we'd call "on the spectrum" these days, but in the '50s they would've just called him "eccentric".
Reynolds is extremely particular about his day-to-day routines and prone to childish outbursts when they're interrupted. He's also strict about how much noise there is around him, with how irritating general sounds are to him expertly illustrated.
And of course, he is hopelessly obsessed with his passion for fashion.
Into his strange world comes a younger, free-spirited lover who shakes things up considerably. Their love for each other becomes a little dark, more than a little twisted and is fascinating to watch bloom.
For me, Phantom Thread says less than some of Anderson's other films. It's more about these specific characters, rather than a larger statement on humanity, as in The Master and There Will Be Blood.
However, the exquisiteness it's filmed with makes it gratifying to watch, and Day-Lewis's phenomenal final performance makes it a mandatory big screen watch.
Four stars.
* Phantom Thread is in cinemas now.
Newshub.
