When it comes to listing the world’s greatest actors, Daniel Day-Lewis’ name is always followed by the word “obviously.” There’s no reason not to include him on the list of the world’s greatest thespians, with work in movies like LINCOLN, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, MY LEFT FOOT and GANGS OF NEW YORK all being stirring works of genius. Now the man is back after five years away in Paul Thomas Anderson’s PHANTOM THREAD as a man, Reynolds Woodcock, whose love for a woman unravels his life in ways he could not predict. The first trailer is here, and of course, Day-Lewis looks amazing in a movie that looks simply amazing. The man can do no wrong!
Set in the glamour of 1950’s post-war London, renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manville) are at the center of British fashion, dressing royalty, movie stars, heiresses, socialites, debutants and dames with the distinct style of The House of Woodcock. Women come and go through Woodcock’s life, providing the confirmed bachelor with inspiration and companionship, until he comes across a young, strong-willed woman, Alma (Vicky Krieps), who soon becomes a fixture in his life as his muse and lover. Once controlled and planned, he finds his carefully tailored life disrupted by love.
There isn't a PTA movie out there I don't enjoy in some way (INHERENT VICE being my least favorite), and with THREAD I think Anderson will deliver another fantastic piece of cinema. Though I don't think it will be as intense a work as THERE WILL BE BLOOD or THE MASTER, it looks riveting as an examination of creativity and obsession, with Day-Lewis no doubt turning in more great work. It will be a merry Christmas this year indeed!
PHANTOM THREAD hits theaters on December 25.