Phantom Thread reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews Phantom Thread. In 1950s London, a renowned dressmaker has his life disrupted by his latest muse, a young waitress he moves into his home.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film - below. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
www.bbc.co.uk/5live
Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live.

[@MisterKauffman]

We all know it's fun to watch Kermode dig into the odd bad movie, but there's something equally wholesome and entertaining about seeing him glow over an especially good movie. It gets you amped up to go to the cinemas.

[@mroctober2978]

The director's work here is not on par with his best; the sublime and transcendent Resident Evil series.

[@damien172]

possibly a joke, but wrong director^ thats Paul W.s. Anderson

[@tigermunky]

Hah, you actually made me chuckle out loud at that. Thank you.

[@ianwoodhouse229]

I see what you did there 😂😂😂

[@atrijitdas1704]

A fan of the web series "Why is Cinema", are you?

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Mr October what about when he played for Nottingham Forest

[@BagShagandSkedaddle]

I saw it at the southbank centre with a live Orchestra, at which mark himself was there, and I had the pleasure of meeting Paul Thomas Anderson, it made this the greatest cinematic experience of my life

[@Kemster79]

Mark Millen Very nice.

[@JohnSmith-ix5gx]

pull the other one mate ,don't believe you for one second. why these types hang around comment sections ,I'll never know

[@BagShagandSkedaddle]

John Smith What? He was literally out the back having a cigarette, me and some friends walked over and met him before we went in

[@JohnSmith-ix5gx]

+Born Slippy just woke up have ya? no doubt dreamin up more ballocks .kermode famously interacts with nobody in public ,its common knowledge ,all of a sudden your having a smoke with im?

[@BagShagandSkedaddle]

John Smith I didn’t meet Kermode, I met Paul Thomas Anderson

[@HeelPower200]

A true masterpiece. I was complete absorbed in its movie magic. The true best of 2017. Also its really sad that no one is talking about Vicky Krieps' best actress snub. An extremely complicated performance.

[@michellebiland5163]

Yes agreed. She was excellent!

[@Pingaheimer]

meh idk, she was certainly adequate.... wasn't the most difficult role imo.

[@rodrigoodonsalcedocisneros9266]

I don't think it's a HUGE snub. Certainly she did a great job, but the role itself wasn't as layered as DDL's

[@brianchristopher3816]

This was almost a perfect movie. I was blown away. I saw it on a date. I couldn't shut up about how good it was.

[@eme.261]

Vicky's performance was brilliant. She went toe-to-toe with Daniel and matched his bloated and heavy moments of controlling and desperate narcissism with steely-eyed and soft will. Her deep passion for him matched his unspoken desperate need for her. It's an interesting tell that there were those who completely missed the quiet power of her performance. They couldn't "see": the evidence because of its nuance. Alma brought Reynolds sneakily and inexorably to heel, proving that her will was far stronger than his (he'd always needed this from a lover), and Krieps' acting was absolutely in line with this aspect of her character.

[@mattlacy6887]

Mark in full flow is a spectacle In itself

[@TheGoldSwordSquad]

This film made me feel so many different emotions, there were moments were I was strangely charmed, moments when I was extremely uncomfortable, Shocked or sad. Following these characters on this tragic story felt so involved and intimate. one of the best films of the year in a year of so many great films

[@Onmysheet]

Tarantino cannot even trigger these emotions in you.

[@davidheard2674]

Not sure if it's just me but Phantom Thread made me incredibly hungry. The attention given to food, to the details of the mushrooms, and especially "that" omelette, got me ravenous and I had to go and devour one myself. Usually it's Tarantino that does this to me.

[@Onmysheet]

Have you seen Babette's Feast? That will make increasingly hungry.

[@andraszoltan2]

FOOD IS LOVE! :)

[@jeysey200]

I had the same feelings when watching Guadagnino’s ‘I am love’

[@c.w.8200]

Maybe I'm basic but I just want Harley Quinn's Birds of Prey sandwich...

[@Sabbathtage]

So you're saying you're a hungry boy?

[@zentraveler1834]

A rare film that gets better with each viewing

[@donaldcook3112]

. . . I heard this review on radio when it was broadcast and I thought when he said ... ' I've seen it four times now and each time it just got better ' ... Oh really ? ... I went to see it four times in six weeks in three different cinemas ... sort of 'stalking' it around the top half of Cumbria ... while the ' Beast from the East ' , a seriously cold month of weather here in England , did it's worst outside . I would love to view it in it's 70mm version somewhere, someday . So perfect a film experience that I can only enjoy through the winter months - ?!? ... What is that about ? ... excluding the obvious .

[@buffett1000]

Danial Day Lewis is incredible in this film. I only just watched this and it makes me mourn the ending of his career. Damn I miss him.

[@SirSmilingPhantom]

Same, my thoughts exactly

[@fluff975]

My favorite review of the film I've read or watched. Seeing Kermode gushing with excitement and fascination as he details everything that made the film special to him just makes me happy. And everything he says is spot on.

[@Kaizoku-o_PirateKing]

Vampiric demeanor and bug-like stances. God, the way he analyzes movies is as good as the movie itself. Fantastic

[@pconhispc2759]

I urge people to rewatch Punch Drunk Love. It's a masterpiece. I remember hiring it on DVD and thinking WTF is this Adam Sandler Movie. We turned it off. The following day I gave it another try because I wanted my moneys worth from the rental. Something clicked into place and I was utterly spellbound. It remains in my top ten of all time. I also think PTA casting of Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights is utter genius. An actor who takes himself seriously but cant act, much like a pornstar, much like Mark Whalberg. Just got back from Phantom Thread and liked it a lot. Not my favorite PTA movie but still, a wonderful few hours spent. I cant get on with Inherent Vice but will give it another whirl.

[@Garrett1240]

Inherent Vice has come to be my favorite PTA film.

[@aridyball3738]

Give Inherent Vice another shot - also the Pynchon book is great, hilarious fun

[@doovbaloevera1430]

It's refreshingly odd that having been a massive fan of science fiction, Phantom Thread features the alien world I've enjoyed most on screen for years. Saw it last night for the first time. Brilliant.

[@theguilloriousmind5832]

The character of Cyril was my anchor. I loved this movie and love hearing Mark gush over it. I knew he would add another layer of appreciation

[@menawi1]

I saw it today with my mom who rarely sees a movie and we both truly loved it, we kept talking about it for the rest of the day. It just might be my new favourite PTA movie and i think this is the first time a PTA film played in my country.

[@plasticvision]

watched this for the second time today after seeing it introduced by kermode at the southbank centre on wednesday. intoxicating fever dream of a movie. the score is on loop in my brain.

[@DuncanRSHarvey]

What a review! Honestly didn't want it to end. Just like the movie.

[@vernonallen3370]

Beautiful soundtrack and beautifully lit. Brilliant performances from the three main characters.

[@Nophotofound]

pta hasn't made a bad movie since his first hard eight in 96. every single one takes you to a new world in a new era and gives you characters so complex and unique its mindboggling. the fact that he writes his movies as well is staggering. to me that makes him our greatest living cinematic storyteller.

[@timothyw98]

Inheritant Vice was very problematic I thought.

[@65g4]

@@timothyw98 its not my favourite but it still has some great things in it i think.

[@jgreed5]

Wow I love hard eight. That’s an awesome movie imo

[@Garrett1240]

@@timothyw98 Inherent vice is my favorite PTA movie. One of the only movies I can't get ahold of and that's a massive compliment. It's elusiveness makes it endlessly captivating. Much more 'dream-like' than Phantom thread.

[@ganpondorodf]

The extravagant breakfast made me expect a David Thewlis-in-Fargo thing to crop up at some point... But yes. Excellent comparison with Whistle and I'll Come to You there

[@VictoriaJKLamburn]

Sounds wonderful, what a joy to listen to Kermode on a Friday :)

[@Nazlairdie]

Absolutely loved this film, saw it this afternoon in 70mm & its exquisite, sumptious & biting, Daniel Day Lewis is absolutely perfect & Vicky Kiep should have been nominated for everything!.

[@bobbyladd]

At one point Mark mentions Gary Oldman's Dracula. Which made me think that Daniel Day-Lewis in a new Hammer Films version of Dracula would be f'ing amazing.

[@tct8284]

bobbyladd check out castlevania on netflix

[@annalisavajda252]

I think Daniel Day Lewis as Dracula would be terrifying.

[@BobbySpringer1]

I was sniffy about watching this when my wife suggested it but I'm so glad I did. The soundtrack is beautiful, the cinematography is stunning and the film overall is so well paced. It reminded me in places of No Country for Old Men where so much was conveyed with facial expression, silence and nuance.

[@everest001]

Such a good review. Such a good movie.

[@alextromagnetic]

This is undoubtedly one of the most erotic films I have ever seen. It's a total throwback to 40s/50s Hitchcock and other similar films of the time.

[@ajs41]

Hitchcock didn't usually have young women in see-through dresses, until the end of his career.

[@tonywords6713]

PTA clearly wants to be the next Kubrick and... dare I say.. since Punch Drunk Love he’s done it, consistently.. even inherent vice, which I was shocked to find a lot of people not liking!! I rewatch that consistently and It certainly holds up.

[@kingoftheseamusic]

It reminded me of Remains of the Day

[@schwagarm]

Hidden emotion. Characters incapable of showing their true selves. Very interesting.

[@GoldenGyroBalls]

Already have seen it a week or so ago but going for seconds this weekend with someone who hasn't seen it. So delighted!

[@Sheaiskl]

Getting to this review late but WOW! I absolutely loved this film when I watched it last year but you make me long for it even more. Great overview!!

[@wetigaz]

I never imagined laughing so much at someone pouring a glass of water - those who've seen the film will understand.

[@jimmaguire3079]

I've only seen this twice, I need to se it again but I definitely get the fairy tale vibe. PTA comes across as so modest and unpretentious but there is obviously a lot going on in his scripts.

[@binaryg]

What a great review of a Marvelous film. The cast is incredible. Especially, for me, Vicky Krieps as Alma is excellent, holding her own against this group. She dove into this role completely. She deserves some rewards for her work. It is a fairy tale/ghost story. I've seen it 3 times now and look forward to more viewings. PTA is the best director in cinema today. Hopefully this is not DD-L's final film but if it is he goes out on top.

[@KungaMatata]

Very interesting that Mark prefers Punch-Drunk Love over There Will Be Blood and The Master, two films consistently at the top of decade best lists and both have the lead actor’s best performances.

[@user-on2ys9jr6t]

There will be blood is easily the greatest film of this century so far.

[@timothyw98]

There will be blood was almost a horror film at times, all hail king day Lewis

[@bmmcloughlin]

clipped brit and timeless Transylvanian !!1 Brilliant

[@Onmysheet]

So glad I went to this at the theatre.

[@nihad-m]

Oh now I HAVE to see this film.

[@mattneedham5101]

Adored this film ..

[@kathleenclark6305]

Not sure if I liked this movie or not, although I could certainly appreciate the great acting. I will watch it again in the future to see if my opinion changes.

[@Garland67]

This review really helped me understand more about the film. He can't or doesn't mention the disturbing part about the story!

[@ganpondorodf]

Garland5 can't! And I wholeheartedly support his decision not to

[@Garland67]

Yes, it's a major spoiler of course, but he doesn't even allude to it, which is strange.

[@ganpondorodf]

Garland5 I actually thought he already spoke too in-depth about some stuff that comes later in the film. I avoid critics' stuff for a lot of movies, particularly longer reviews like this one, until I've seen the film myself. I get that it's often hard to talk about a movie's themes without getting into some spoiler territory but what (I think?) we're referring to is something I'm glad he didn't even reference in passing, for those who haven't seen it yet

[@Garland67]

True

[@georgedwwyatt]

1- Boogie Nights: 10/10 2- There Will Be Blood: 10/10 3- Phantom Thread: 10/10 4- Magnolia: 10/10 5- Punch- Drunk Love: 9/10 6- The Master: 9/10 7- Hard Eight: 8/10 8- Inherent Vice: 6/10

[@hughchapman-brown6369]

Same top 5! My bottom three goes IV TM HE, but for me they're all 9/10 and above!

[@stephaniestanley8041]

A magical masterpiece

[@atrijitdas1704]

amazing review

[@adamalderton]

Mark can we get a spoiler discussion/analysis on this one?

[@AlexDeLarge77]

This is a top film. I watched it once & wasn't sure but have subsequently seen it two more times. It is a brilliant film. Mark is bang on. Shame he got is so wrong with The Shape of Water.

[@Lostinjp]

An amazing review for an entrancing film.

[@rhaenyrareigns2200]

Reminds me of *Paradise Kiss* by Ai Yazawa.

[@fridajaspers6066]

I saw this film for the first time a few days ago. Still don't know what to think, except that the story completely creeped me out. And that Daniel Day Lewis is a dead-cert for playing Von Karajan and/or Karl Lagerfeld in some sort of bio-pic.

[@theevokeruser2356]

If you want a Ghost Story, then watch A Ghost Story. But Phantom Thread is also a good watch as well.

[@binaryg]

Add Personal Shopper to that list.

[@ruukaoz]

I love the fact that you emphasised so much on the fairy tale aspect of the movie, I instantly reminded of the tale of the princess and the frog. Did you know that the Grimm brothers changed some very important bits in the stories that they covered. Those are ancient tales, that they streamlined to the times they were released in, and sadly overshadow the original stories. In the Princess and the Frog, in the Grimm version that we all know, the princess kisses the frog and the frog turns into the prince, while in the "original" the princess grabs the frog and smacks the frog against the wall, and then it turns into the prince. Think about how different that is. Generations of girls have grown up believing that in order to turn a frog into the prince you must kiss it, love him unconditionally. That's a lie. This movie makes justice to the original version.

[@c.w.8200]

It's a very strange trope but it appears in other, more obscure, German fairy tales, I've read one where the cursed princess (I forgot what she was turned into) asks the hero to kill her, cut her into pieces and boil them and he's extremely reluctant to do it but it restores her to human form.

[@Luvie1980]

Saw this DDL was fantastic as always. Should get the Oscar but I don't think he will.

[@oscarmaidana9294]

Luvie1980 DdL makes a character out of his vocals and body lenguage. Gary Oldman made his Churchill charactet outta half voice, half make up.

[@sanyrub]

Most people I had heard were not loving the film so it surprised me it got so many oscar nominations. it truly was underperforming throughout awards season.

[@siwakeman1266]

Nah it’s Gary oldmans time. And deservedly so. Apart from this year, he had NEVER been nominated for a golden globe or bafta best actor ever before let alone won one. And it’s only his 2nd Oscar nomination ever. You might think it’s irrelevant but Hollywood like to award snubbed actors eventually. Pacino in scent of a woman, Washington in training day etc etc

[@BillyRubin81]

Not seen it yet but can't wait to, from what I have seen of it and heard and having seen Darkest Hour i'm sure DDL delivers a better performance. Oldman is very good as usual but the film overall is not especially memorable, i'm surprised he is such a favourite in the year of #metoo.

[@gregorcollins]

Brilliant commentary.

[@Pixiesforever7]

Punch Drunk Love is better than There Will Be Blood???

[@HamzaKhan-lm6vh]

Thanks Mark

[@ianlacey6588]

Not seen this yet but the comments about Kubrick. Camera following a vehicle down a country lane? Would that be a throw back to the opening shots of The Shining?

[@timheavyable]

A clockwork Orange.

[@Rohme.33]

how did alma know to do what she does? i can't come up with an answer. i wonder if anyone who has seen the film has any idea as to the reason which undergirded her action?

[@leonardozumaeta4354]

this is suuuuper late haha but you can see her reading a book about the poisonous mushrooms

[@eubique]

Ron Mael does a surprisingly good English accent.

[@sharonalbanese8084]

great review, amazing movie. Could anyone other than DDL play this role as well or as convincingly?

[@FS-qi1kj]

love love loveeee this review of the film

[@deegegaming7911]

I felt a real linkage in this film to Alfred Hitchcocks Vertigo

[@mundaneman1811]

PTA, DDL & JG, a powerhouse of a trio :))

[@michelleyoung6672]

Love this review

[@nihonbunka]

Is it ever suggested that Alma may be the fantasy of the hero?

[@vincevirtua]

I saw the 70MM presentation, thought it was a work of art of picture and sound (obviously) but also a bit of a slog overall as a film to get through. I enjoyed the humour. Shame that Daniel Day Lewis is retiring (again).

[@eme.261]

The performances in this film were brilliant. The actors embodied their characters to such an extent that they all disappeared into their roles and they ate their the sparse and infrequent dialogue up. For me, Vicky's performance stood out. She went toe-to-toe with Daniel and matched his moments of controlling and desperate narcissism with steely-eyed and soft will. Her deep passion for him matched his unspoken desperate need for her. It's an interesting tell that there were those who completely missed the quiet power of her performance. They couldn't "see": the evidence because of its nuance. Alma brought Reynolds sneakily and inexorably to heel, proving that her will was far stronger than his, and Krieps' acting was absolutely in line with this aspect of her character.

[@philosopher.d]

Punch-Drunk Love better than Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, or The Master??

[@cw4019]

yes

[@AntZombie121]

I had to to travel 90 minutes to see it because my local 9 screen multiplex wouldn’t show it

[@frankiefuckles]

Great review

[@eubique]

Your local tried to do you a favour

[@patluff]

....and sausages

[@nleytman]

The amish girl turned into a princess and tamed the prince. The music is so beautiful to support the movie.

[@willosee]

Wonderful movie

[@65g4]

Great film

[@david15kramer]

mark is the best

[@dionwynhughes]

Punch Drunk Love is the hipster choice of any PTA fan! Boogie Nights is King. But Phantom Thread is special, Greenwood's finest score.

[@RockBottomRiser21]

Hot take: Boogie Nights is his weakest film.

[@dionwynhughes]

Steven what is your favourite one then? Since I'm so wrong

[@ankitacharya8993]

Steven Boogie night = one of the best parody movie like ever that is done right. And there aren't many of them.

[@z0uLess]

I just dont understand how people find these types of personalities charming. They are self-immolating. I know, because I am one of them.

[@stephenprendergast6939]

Great review, even managed to squeeze in a couple of digs at Helen Mirren.

[@welovetofloat]

Kermode is the best.

[@RockBottomRiser21]

1. There Will be Blood 2. Punch-Drunk Love 3. Phantom Thread 4. The Master 5. Magnolia 6. Inherent Vice 7. Hard Eight 8. Boogie Nights

[@jesse4270]

I agree it is funny

[@jnwdytt2909]

I thought it kind of dark---doesn't the young lady not try to kill the leading male character not once but twice...yet he doesn't realize as much....Almost like his sister and wife realize they can kill off the brother/husband anytime they want to

[@ytsm]

This was PTA's most biographical work. I think it's now even more obvious, when we hear about his relationship with Fiona Apple.

[@juancpgo]

A beautiful film, but certainly not my favorite of PTA's. I think my favs of him are Boogie Nights and Punch Drunk Love.

[@BilboB]

So Daniel Day Lewis is basically playing Larry David

[@theesotericcunt5029]

The Master > Phantom Thread > There Will Be Blood

[@skipdonaghue9451]

Kept getting distracted by the nasal spray in the background. Tidy up! There was a big green bin there last week.

[@DSQueenie]

Skip Donaghue until I read this comment I hadn't noticed it lol

[@maxdavies239]

I think me and Mark must have seen different films... I didn’t see any of this when I sat through it :(

[@vincereilly8910]

Vince Reilly 1 second ago here is a review of jonny greenwood's music for 'phantom thread':kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXzZoqqrgJqYl6c

[@deborahbarnes8377]

I laughed so many times.

[@XavierKatzone]

Merchant-Ivory stuff. (yawn) What has happened to P. T. Anderson's creative output?

[@AtticussAtticuss]

For whatever reason, this movie didn't do it for me. Saw it opening night, really excited, really like several other PTA movies. But this one was a complete dud for me. I've been trying to figure out exactly why (because it's so well crafted) and I think it comes down to not feeling anything for the main character. I didn't like him, I didn't hate him, I wasn't impressed by his "skills", I wasn't entertained by his quirks, I didn't feel much sympathy for him when things go wrong. He was the kind of person IRL would irritate me... but not enough to make him an antihero like in TWBB. For me it was a beautifully crafted and acted character film... about a character I just wasn't interested in.

[@46metube]

its essentially a Terence Davies film with a little more camera movement. its not DDL's film its Lesley Manville's film. she holds it all together. Vicky Krieps is uncrushable and wonderful. DDL seems half asleep or somehow not there very much. its a gorgeous film to watch and the Bill Evans piano style soundtrack is very good too. but I don't think it deserves Oscars. its not PTA finest or a masterpiece. and the switch around at the end from DD's character didn't work for me. it felt forced, as a mechanism to close the story. the scene with his mother in the room is fabulous and ghostly. a little M R James? the film felt like it was going somewhere to say something but didn't. but then again films don't have to do anything. 6.5/10

[@PaddySlattery]

Spoiler Alert lads

[@kathyuk28]

Codependency

[@emmanuelsalazar9424]

PTA Ranking: 1. There Will Be Blood 2. The Master 3. Magnolia 4. Boogie Nights 5. Punk Drunk Love 6. Inherent Vice 7. Phantom Thread 8. Sydney

[@HBarnill]

The only mistake Anderson ever did was cast Reese Witherspoon in Inherent Vice. Other than that, it’s a career free of mistakes. A true gift to cinema and this one’s no exception. Shame it’s Day Lewis’ final film.

[@binaryg]

I loved Reese Witherspoon in IV.

[@HBarnill]

GnB How? I mean, you have the right to your opinion, but how could you like her in IV? She had 3 minutes of screentime and she was still godawful. She’s not an actress; she’s a celebrity.

[@lilmsgs]

As the movie proceeded to fawn about every layer, every detail about this guy, I could never get past the question of, why should we give a sh*t about him.

[@HomoChomsky]

Same here, it worked very well for me as an exploration of the kind of vacuousness only the very privileged can afford to make others suffer through.

[@lilmsgs]

@@HomoChomsky yes

[@Nelly34e]

There was a lot to love about this movie, but ultimately the twisted love story became way too ridiculous that it lost me.

[@binaryg]

Your loss.

[@jessica5497]

Your loss x2

[@orcaflotta7867]

No exploding starships? Not at all delightful. :(

[@eubique]

Really, what is the point of a screenplay without exploding spaceships

[@hunmiliengtipi9218]

Communists will hate this movie.

[@flimpeenflarmpoon1353]

?

[@rayadakota1332]

Just summarized ur review dude. I never get what ur getting into its too complicated

[@acidarrow]

Despite thinking this is a great film, I found it utterly depressing with all the main characters being unlikeable and the loop of what is effectively revealed as self-harm around the mushroom motif, repulsed me. Also, is it just me or does Day-Lewis sound just like Richard E. Grant in this?