Upon an initial viewing, which I assume will quickly turn into multiple, I’m left unable to articulate my thoughts beyond surface level reaction. The visuals are stunning, Daniel Day Lewis is acting his ass off, the soundtrack is lovely, and I’m delightfully surprised by the even stream of comedy throughout the picture. Any deeper than that, and frankly I’m at a loss for words. Not that the film is overly complicated, in fact it is amazingly simple, but the layer of emotional impenetrability hides the film’s true face, or its phantom thread (har har). The moment the movie ended, my immediate thought was a gentle, “that’s it?”, but hours after I’ve left the theater I can’t get these images and feelings out of my head. Comparing this film to its 2017 contemporaries proves to be a difficult task. Next to this level of polish and maturity, most other films are rendered ineffectual, artificially constructed children’s affairs. And I know I’m still underrating it. 

Paul Thomas Anderson completely maintains his standard, continually proving himself to be the best director working today, and it looks absolutely effortless.