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Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread is a disturbing journey into the psychology of its idiosyncratic lead characters. Set sometime in the late 50s and in London. "the house of Woodcock" feels stuck sometime in the 20s, with no sign of the swinging 60s in sight. Phantom's linear narrative unpacks gradually in a seemingly straightforward manner across its 2 and a bit hour run time. However the beauty of this film lies in what is unsaid, as the sinister subtext bubbles beneath we learn through micro aggressions and actions both overt and clandestine the deeply flawed nature's of our Narcissistic protagonist's.
The hilariously titled Renalds Woodcock, exquisitely played by Daniel Day Lewis, is an elite dressmaker and a froidien wet dream. He exerts ultimate control over people, routine and objects in his rigidly structured existence. He sews secrets into the hem's of his dresses, names, mantras, mottos and talisman.
His breakfasts must be silent and his muse’s must morph into the exact mould he has chosen for them. Or it’s the chop, not executed by him however, but buy his iron lady of a Sister and the literal linchpin of his empire Cyril, rendered exactly by Leslie manvill.
He seems to fit into the tortured male genius stereotype, but he is so, so, much more. Surrounded by seemstreses and Still morning the loss of his mother, he longs to return to her breast and like the C. E. O of a mega corporation who wears nappies at the weekend, longs be laid weak, vulnerable and prostrate.
Enter Alma, superiorly portrayed by Vicky Kripes. Another Narcissist, seemingly clutsy and sweet. Upon their initial meeting she sweetly serves him his hungry boy breakfast. Enamoured by her memory as she deftly remembers his exhaustive order. He askes her out for dinner and future toxicity is assured.
Alma exerts control in a far more subtle and deadly manner. She will stop at nothing to be the sole possessor of Renalds’s Woodcock. The shroomy yin to his yang she begins a campaign of poisoning in order to fully open him to her will “I want you weak and vulnerable. ” she maniacally mentions.
Initially the inflicted sickness scares Renalds as he hallucinates visions of his late mother. The disturbing image somehow appeals? He’s able to commune once more with his dead mum. Alma sits dutifully by his bedside, both of them emphatically refusing medical help carefully brought forward by Cyril, hmmmmm??
He recovers and is strong again but somehow changed. Asking for Alma's hand in marriage, she controls the proposal by delaying her obvious acceptance, he loves it!
As the picture progress we begin to realise that Renalds is aware of the sporadic poisoning. He begins to sicken of Alma as he is want to do with all his former muses.
Claiming a lack of order, confidence and organisation, he begins to set in motion the organisatioal machine that is sister Cyril . Alma gleans this lack of control and feels she might be losing him.
The hungry boy’s tummy is filled with shrooms once more. Post poisioning we get the impression that Woodcock is beginning to revel in the lack of control as he takes to Alma like a froidien duck to water he whispers “kiss me girl before I’m sick" Alma assuming the port of his mother tends to his sickness, bowl in hand she vultures on his vulnerability. Both are literally, exactly where they were destined to be.
Phantom Thread is always on the top of my watch list. Like all P. T. A 's films multiple stories run in parallel, what is said and what is unsaid, what is shown and what is unshown. His protagonist's all have one thing in common a deep inner life and a sense of place in the world of the film. Phantom for me is perhaps the ultimate example of this . I think because of the liner nature of the tape I become more focused on the characters and their wonderfully rich inner live. It's the type of tape that improves with every watch, it will stick in your head like cleavers to a sock. Better the fith time than the first.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson
Cast: Daniel Day Lewis, Vicky Kripes, Leslie Manville
Photography: Paul Thomas Anderson
Soundtrack: Jonny Greenwood
Running Time: 130 minutes
Budget: $35 million
By @any_left
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