Phantom Thread

Phantom Thread, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, ( has won)  was nominated for the Academy Award for 2017 best film. Well earned. 

The story is set in mid 20th century London. 1954, to be exact. Reynold Woodcock, couturier, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, designs, tailors and sells dresses to high society females. They include royalties. The establishment, House of Woodcock, is owned and run by him and his sister Cyril, played by Lesley Manville. The seamstresses who sew the dresses work under grueling schedules.

Reynold is rich; lives in palatial home and drives Bristol 404 sedan. Anyone's envy. He suffers from mother complex and has uncompromising idiosyncrasies. He has rigid work ethic and will not be distracted by anything and anybody. He will not allow it! The first live-in model is trying to have a conversation with him at breakfast table when he is engrossed in his design work. A taboo! 

She has to go. Go she did.

He has now replaced the old model with a new,  quietly beautiful, inexperienced and unassuming waitress, Alma Elson, acted by Vicky Krieps. She has a perfect body for modeling. Alma wants to be happy and live a normal life.  She also knows he is a kind and respectful man yet a very difficult one. Despite, she falls in love. Eventually, so does he, with her. The story is about punishing relationship. 

Alma finds out Reynold's Achille's heel.

She has a plan, a toxic plan. 

Can toxins become antidotes?



I am highly disappointed Daniel Day-Lewis did not get his well deserved and earned Oscar. Damn!


charu
07302018

Picture above from 'Eats' site.