In his final film, Day-Lewis reunites with Paul Thomas Anderson to deliver a masterful performance as a society dressmaker beguiled by a young waitress.
A challenging watch, but also jaw-dropping on more levels than it’s possible to count.
On its surface, Phantom Thread may be another film about an exceptionally talented man and the women enthralled in his orbit but, in the masterful hands of Anderson and his cast, it becomes a multi-layered, expertly-observed study of desire, control and the ties that bind.
Anderson crafts another classic of obsession and strange love, played by dynamite leads: Day-Lewis retires in style, Krieps is revelatory.
Paul Thomas Anderson does gothic romance in prestige Brit picture style, eliciting a worthy final performance from Daniel Day-Lewis that’s admirably matched by newcomer Vicky Krieps.
The pleasure here lies in the unpredictability of Paul Thomas Anderson’s approach, his ability and that of his actors to surprise us with every new stitch of the movie.
The end result is an incredible, brilliantly acted portrait of a destructive relationship in which the destructive parts might be what make it thrive.
The pin-sharp precision of the dialogue, the magnificent, lilting musical score from Jonny Greenwood and the quality of the performances all combine to create an audacious, spellbinding slice of storytelling.
In what could be his final film role, Daniel Day-Lewis is a perfect fit as a celebrated dress designer in Paul Thomas Anderson’s beautifully realised tale of 50s haute couture.
Vicky Krieps: 'Phantom Thread is more of a dance than it is a fight'.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday March 9, 2018, until Thursday March 22, 2018. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Sunday April 8, 2018, until Tuesday April 10, 2018. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
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