(2.5 / 5)
5-star acting, 1-star storyline.
Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a pernickety fashion designer in 1950s London, with a famous clientele and a habit of getting bored of his love interests. Waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps) bursts into his life when she takes his order for breakfast – but can she break the cycle?
Just as in There Will Be Blood, Daniel Day-Lewis steals the show, the story itself seeming like merely a platform for the actor. This being his final film, it’s clear he wanted to end on a high. He’s completely natural yet simultaneously commanding of your attention. The other actors put in decent performances as well, but let’s face it – very few actors are in his league.
Then we come to the storyline. It’s so-so for most of the way, but enough to keep your interest – and then has an absurd ending which really lets it down. Director and writer Paul Thomas Anderson has created a quality film in all other aspects, but the key ingredient is definitely lacking.
Phantom Thread premieres in Sweden on 23 February 2018.