68. Phantom Thread; movie review

PHANTOM THREAD
Cert 15
130 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language

Daniel Day Lewis has finally got around to being in a film and he's even threatening that it will be his last one.....
Better chalk him down for an Oscar nomination then.
I am just imagining the thought processes of the dear old Academy Award judges who have bewilderingly shortlisted Phantom Thread for six Oscars.
It deserves one - for best costume design.
Otherwise, Phantom Thread is dull - comprising of arty people being overbearing and err... arty.
Indeed, as I watched Day-Lewis's Reynolds Woodcock character I couldn't help think of the tailors of the Emperor's New Clothes.
And then I realised the type of people who award Oscars are probably see reflections of themselves in movies such as Phantom Thread and Call Me By My Name.
They will, therefore, bathe in the privilege and understand the neediness of their characters.
Paul Thomas Anderson, another darling of luvvyville, directed Phantom Thread, taking the audience back to the 1950s when the stuffy were far removed from the hoi polloi.
The backdrop is brilliantly executed. The use of Whitby transports the audience back in time but, ironically, would have been far too common for the likes of Woodcock.
Nevertheless, he charms a waitress (Vicky Krieps) with a unique breakfast order and invites her to a posh dinner.
Usually, I decry such age gaps but I had to admit that Day-Lewis is a striking-looking fella and Woodcock has a way with words so it doesn't jar too much.
However, it becomes evident that theirs is not a match made in heaven after he invites her to move in and omits to mention that his sister (Lesley Manville) will be an ever-present third party.
This awkward triumvirate is the focus of the film with Woodcock flouncing around as if he is in charge but with the real power battle being between the two women.
It is true that Day-Lewis, Manville and Krieps give highly polished performances and I would reiterate that the film looks good.
However, the longer we waited the clearer that it became we were going to be denied more than a couple of moments of semi-excitement.
Indeed, Mrs W, Miss W and I all felt as if we needed more than arguments over the noise levels of buttering toast.

Reasons to watch: highly polished performances, beautiful costumes and detailed background
Reasons to avoid: not enough substance to its storyline

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6/10

Director's quote - Paul Thomas Anderson: "He’s (Day-Lewis) been threatening to retire long before I ever came into the picture. You could look at it two ways. You could say: He’s gone out on a high note and he’s given us so many great performances that we should all just respect his decision and be happy. Or, you could protest and say, ‘That’s not good 
enough, we want more!’

The big question - Is Daniel Day-Lewis really retiring?

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