Phantom Thread

I decided to watch this film because of my recent admiration for Paul Thomas Anderson, and once again this man has surprised me. And by “surprised,” I mean “enchanted.” This film is an absolute masterpiece — both in terms of its story and in many other aspects. In my opinion, it’s one of the most original and most intriguing, if not the most intriguing, love stories in contemporary cinema. PTA doesn’t aim to show a wonderful love that transforms the main character from an egocentric, perfectionist, and selfish man into an ideal husband. Instead, he portrays the toxicity of this relationship — one that paradoxically gains depth and becomes beautiful only when it turns self-destructive. Reynolds knows that only in moments of weakness will he be able to show Alma the affection that both he and she long for. Under the influence of emotion, he allows Alma to make him weak. This love is built on the need to hurt in order to feel closeness. The poison becomes the symbol of this. They both need each other, but in a toxic way. This story is at once terrifying, fascinating, and a portrayal of the beauty of true attachment and trust. In terms of acting — a masterpiece. Daniel Day-Lewis once again proves that he is one of the greatest actors in history. The set design is outstanding (the final dance scene will forever stay in my mind), and the music — as always with PTA — is mesmerizing and adds depth to the entire story. A beautiful film that will forever remain in my mind.