Phantom Thread (2017)

I haven't seen all of Paul Thomas Anderson films, but I loved those I've seen (Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood). Also, though I'm not a fan of him, I really like Daniel Day-Lewis's performances. Those are the two reasons I was really looking forward to seeing Phantom Thread. Maybe it was the high expectations, the fact is Anderson's latest film left me a little disappointed. It's not a bad film, but I was expecting more.

In 1950s London, Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned dressmaker who, along with his devoted sister (Lesley Manville), creates dresses for the high society. Also, he's an asshole. He has a habit of using women and dropping them when he gets bored of them. Then one day, he meets Alma (Vicky Krieps), a waitress who soon becomes his muse and lover and will disrupt his life.

And without spoiling anything about the plot, I'll say that Anderson made some sort of phantom film. The story is unevenly engaging, being very interesting one moment and rather tedious and almost unbearable the one after that. It's the kind of story that needs to take sinister turns to be really effective but Anderson never goes fully into it and the result is a story that doesn't stick with you long after the film is over. And that's a real shame considering how much potential it had.

The script though isn't a complete misfire. Anderson indeed did a great job with the characters. There's nothing likeable about them, it's impossible to sympathize with any of them --one is an eccentric and controlling old man, the other a manipulative sociopath-- and it's quite hard to understand their motives, but their development is actually good and the characterization is impressive.

Focus Features, Universal Pictures

Quite interesting is the contrast between the two lovers, Reynolds and Alma. Reynolds is considered a genius in his field --he is a sort of movie-version of Sheldon Cooper. He is passionate and creative, but so controlled at the same time. He has a regular, monotonous life, in other words, he follows a pattern and he likes it that way. Alma, on the other hand, she doesn't follow any pattern, she believes that there's much more to life than monotony. It's the difference between them that makes the film interesting. Their love story, however, doesn't feel very genuine.

The performances are good, especially Lesley Manville's as Woodcock's demanding, stoic but well-mannered sister --the most interesting character in the movie-- and Vicky Krieps's as Alma. Hers was my favourite performance to be honest because she managed to capture the vulnerability, sadness and confidence of the character very well. Daniel Day-Lewis's, on the other hand, is a little overrated in my opinion. He gives a good perfomrance, but he didn't blow my mind.

There are a few things that really stick with you about Phantom Thread. The gorgeous costumes, the elegant settings, the excellent cinematography and the beautiful musical score. These are the elements that give the film the right, angsted tones.