Phantom Thread Review

In Daniel Day-Lewis' second collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson, and his self proclaimed final role before retirement, "Phantom Thread" follows a 1950s British dressmaker, and his attempt at a relationship with a waitress he meets, played by Vicky Krieps. Going into this film I wasn't extremely enthralled in the idea of watching a two hour film about a 1950s British fashion designer, but I trusted that Paul Thomas Anderson would make the film unique and interesting, and that he did. PTA has a way of taking an idea that may seem rather dull, and creating something fresh and riveting, which is what I felt this film was. You learn of Reynolds Woodcock, and his meticulous attention to detail as well as routine. He is a master of his craft, so devoted to making the best possible dress he can, that he loses himself in the process, and gives his attention to his work and nothing else. Daniel Day-Lewis is the way he is in all his films. He literally becomes the character he is portraying, almost to an uncanny degree. Much of the acting is reserved, as most characters have a passive aggressive attitude that is shown through facial features, and delicate use of words. The direction almost feels like a film from that time era, and is very steady, with what I thought was good pacing throughout. For a film that I thought was going to be slow and hard to watch, it actually moved pretty smoothly with no major pacing issues. Jonny Greenwood (guitarist of Radiohead) composes a beautiful score that feels like it's time period, and is very sweet, and even melancholic at times. It did feel like there were a few tonal inconsistencies, but it may have been in a few scenes, and is not a huge issue. If you can accept the premise of the film, "Phantom Thread" is very entertaining, and explores how someone gifted at something may become isolated from society, and what someone will do for affection from a loved one. Check it out if you like PTA or Daniel Day-Lewis, or just want to see a film about something very different.  A