Monday 5 February 2018

Film: 'Phantom Thread'

Well, only five weeks into the year with just nine films seen and I can already declare that in my opinion this will be the film of 2018 - and possibly even the decade! I returned home one hour ago after an hour's bus journey, and I haven't come down yet.

Self-proclaimed by Daniel Day-Lewis as being his filmic swansong appearance, if it's true then he's going out on a high which simply could not be any higher. He has never been better - and considering every single role he's taken where he's never been even a shade less than breathtakingly impressive, here he reaches the summit. 
No less deserving of praise is the Luxembourgoise actress, Vicky Krieps, she and Day-Lewis making a riveting companionship in acting, augmented by the august presence of Lesley Manville. These three are the only significant characters of this totally absorbing film. 
American director Paul Thomas Anderson has made some extraordinarily memorable films (incl. 'There Will Be Blood', also with Day Lewis - and 'Magnolia' , though I do wish I'd had the chance to see his 'Punch Drunk Love') - and here once again his characteristic spell works wonders.

London 1950s, it's in the world of haute couture, where slightly ageing bachelor, Day-Lewis, runs a much-in-demand dressmaking business for 'society ladies', assisted by his sister (Manville). In a 'normal', everyday restaurant he's served by a waitress (Krieps) to whom he takes a fancy, and after a little gentle verbal teasing by him this is reciprocated. They quickly become friends and he takes her back to his large residence/workshop, where he has about ten experienced, mature women who come in daily for dressmaking work, his sister presiding over everything yet ever deferring to his will and decisions. The arrival of the new young woman raises a few eyebrows but nothing is said. Meantime, the Day-Lewis character is all quiet gentleness exuding affability - but could that be the cover for something rather like a tightly coiled spring...........? 
The story carries on from there, basically following the relationship between the two central individuals. Anyone familiar with Daphne du Maurier's excellent novel 'Rebecca' (one of my all-time favourite books) will pick up on the strong resonances between that work and this film - but situation-wise rather than denouement.

It's hard to say more without giving away more than I'd wish to. It's far better not knowing which way the compelling story's going to turn. I'll only say that the film is close to being flawless, though my sole quibble is that right at the end something happens, the reaction to which by one of the three principals is just a fraction less convincing in the light of what we know about that person's character through what's gone before. But it didn't affect my overall appreciation one jot.  

Mention must also be made of the outstanding soundtrack. In addition to original music written by Jonny Greenwood there are excerpts of both jazz and classical (mostly chamber) music, all expertly chosen without being distracting. I loved it all, nothing being jarringly out of place.
Oh yes, and there's a high quality script too.

The film may not be to everybody's tastes, but there's no doubt that it hit the spot for me. If you suspect it just might be the kind of film you'd like, I do urge you to go, please!...............8.5.


10 comments:

  1. Interesting, the commercials don't seem that appealing and yet everyone who sees the film, gives the film great reviews. I will try to see it if I get the chance, I trust your opinion.

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    1. Rachel, below, gives the first very negative view of this film that I've read anywhere, Sooo. Do go to her blog to read what she says, and bear it in mind when deciding. Though you can still go anyway ;-)

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  2. Oh My God. I have seen this film today Ray, and written about it just now. It won't get anywhere near my top 10 or even my top 20. Regretfully I didn't like it. Never have we been quite so far apart.

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    1. Between us this is the mirror image of our opinions of 'Call Me By Your Name' - though not quite as I actually DID like that film but nowhere near as much as you did. Having just read your own blog posting we are rather further apart on this one, you having taken a perfectly valid DISlike to this. Oh well. Maybe my very enthusiastic view will lessen over time - but I hope it doesn't.

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  3. I have been patiently waiting for your review and I am delighted by your response to what may be DDL's final screen appearance. This one will live in memory.
    I totally agree with you about the conclusion. The opening scenes are
    truly brilliant and its closing scenes not so much. But just a minor weakness.

    DDL will leave on a high with this work and I will truly miss him. I first met him in "How Many Miles To Babylon?" and have been awed by him ever since, especially as Cecil in "A Room With A View" and as Guido in "Nine". Are any of his past performances lingering in your mind?

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    1. Paul, for a totally contrary view of this film, and if you haven't read it already, you really must see Rachel's (link above) blog. It's refreshing to have another slant when just about all what others have said have echoed my own opinion, and Rachel's is the first really negative review I've come across. She's made me at least start to think deeper as to the way I felt - and that can only be a good thing. (I always like it when my foundations are shaken up a bit). I can reassure you, however, that I shan't be ending up by taking her side. I still fully expect it'll be my #1 choice at the end of this year.

      I'd ever heard of DD-L's 'Babylon' and, looking it up I see that it pre-dates 'Laundrette' by three years, which was the first time I became aware of him.
      There is no single screen performance of his that jumps out in my mind. They are ALL astonishing and, whichever film it's in it is he who dominates my memory of it. (Looking at his filmography, I'm surprised that there are so many of his films that I never caught - all because I never had the chance, they not getting a theatrical release here. So I've got considerable catching up to do.

      At the risk of making you yawn as I've mentioned before more than once, when I lived in Oxford my neighbour was DD-L's retired headmaster (gay, opera+Shakespeare lover, so we had a lot to discuss). As he was about 30 years older than me and so must have died more than just a few years ago by now, I can tell you now that he once made a pass at me - (Pass? More like a grab!) - which I politely but firmly rebuffed. Those were in the days when I still had some looks which could attract others. (Ah, sigh!) But it's now itself exactly 30 years ago when I left Oxford -
      and am now back to looking to returning there where I can see out my remaining days.

      Anyway. back to DD-L, my neighbour said that as a pupil DD-L was always a quiet, conscientious boy, highly intelligent, a bit of an outsider - and it wasn't too surprising when he started achieving some fame - at that time more parochially British renown rather than the international fame he subsequently has achieved.

      I think he will be back on screen sometime - though his announcement of giving up stage acting some years ago he hasn't gone back on so we can't know for sure. If we aren't to see him again it's going to be a huge loss for us and a waste of unused talent for him.

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  4. So glad to read your glowing review of this film. Last week, I went to our little vintage two room cinema, to see Call Me Bu Your Name, and they gave an extended preview of the movie...it is on my list to see right after The Shape of Water. So many good movie out right now. After reading your review, I will look forward to viewing it....and I love the subject matter too.

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    1. I hope you'll come out on the side of the praisers, M.M. If so, you'll be in the majority and I hope this will be duly recognised in the upcoming BAFTAs and Oscars.

      'Shape/Water' doesn't get here for another couple of weeks but I'll be going, principally because I so love Sally Hawkins. If it wasn't for her presence the potential for displays of heavy sentiment in the story might have made me want to give it a miss.

      I thought 'Call Me.....' was okay - well, a bit better than just that - though I'm not with all the fuss that's been made about it.

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  5. I cannot wait to see this, though it kills me that DDL says it'll be his last. i'm so glad you liked it!

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    1. I hope that I (and many others) haven't set your level of expectation too high, Bob. If you're looking to see another beyond incredible performance from our DD-L I can promise you that you will NOT be left feeling let down. He is totally extraordinary. So is this the farewell screen appearance? - Goodness me, let's hope not!

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