By Jacob Cameron

“I can not begin my day with a confrontation, please.”

This quote from Reynolds Woodcock, the main character of Phantom Thread, sums up the mindset of the character perfectly. It also underscores the quiet chaos that is Phantom Thread. It’s a story of someone trying to hold on and another urging for one to let go. This leads to enthralling results.

Phantom Thread tells the story of the aforementioned Reynolds Woodcock, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. Woodcock is a genius fashion designer in mid-1950s England whose elegant dresses are worn by a high-end clientele. He meets a waitress named Alma, played by Vicky Krieps, at his favorite restaurant, and the two fall in love. As the relationship develops, cracks begin to form between them. And the question becomes whether he’s bad for her or the other way around.

Rather, predictably, Daniel Day-Lewis is excellent. While nowhere near as quotable as Daniel Plainview, I found his complexities fascinating. He is a precise man; almost to a fault. If you disrupt his breakfast, his disappointment will be immeasurable, and his day will be ruined. And he will be more than happy to let you know of that fact. But he’s also a dedicated and passionate man whose dedication is shown and felt in the fashion he designs.

Woodcock is also a deeply caring man. One of the best scenes in the movie is one that takes place over dinner. Woodcock tells Alma a story about how he places secret items into the dresses. Items that only he knows about. He has a lock of his mothers hair in the inseam of his suit because she taught him everything he knows and wants to honor her every chance he gets. It’s a lovely sentiment.

Vicky Krieps does great work as well. She had been in movies such as 2011’s Hanna, but she is excellent here. The cracks in this relationship are brought about due to Woodcock’s coldness. Alma wants Reynolds to let her in and brighten his world. But Reynolds, for better and worse, is set in his ways. Alma’s frustration manifests in borderline treacherous behavior but not brought about out of malice. But rather a twisted sense of love and devotion.

Additional praise should be given towards Lesley Manville, playing Woodcock’s sister Cyril. Her devotion to keeping Reynolds on tasks is controlling but not in a necessarily bad way. Each of these main characters are devoted to something, and they foster that devotion to the point of obsession, and that’s the main point of the film. This is a film about what one will do when devotion takes over their better instincts.

Ultimately, this is yet another excellent movie from PTA. There is stellar acting, beautiful cinematography, and a great score from Johnny Greenwood. This one is not one of PTA’s best films; but PTA’s filmography is stuffed to the gills with quality. To the point that choosing the best overall PTA film feels impossible. What is undisputed, however, is that Paul Thomas Anderson is the most consistently talented director going right now alongside Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve.

5 stars