MovieChat Forums > Phantom Thread (2018) Discussion > I liked it at first, but the more I thin...

I liked it at first, but the more I think about it the worse it gets

posted 5 years ago by Geff (453)
5 replies | jump to latest

There is some complexity in the film, but even the complexity is in such a shallow frame. The characters are interesting, but characters alone cannot drive a movie. There has to be an underlying theme that's interesting. I can't seem to locate that interesting theme here.

I loved PTA's early films, Boogie Nights and Punch Drunk Love were great. There will be Blood is in my top 3 films of all time. But, I have to say he's getting weaker. Or, maybe I'm not seeing this film in the correct light.

[–] motorcycledriveb (303) 5 years ago

Fittingly, I think Phantom Thread represents the era we currently live in. Phantom Thread is an "instagram" movie. I was very excited for it and it let me down. Phantom Thread is all emphasis on aesthetic.

The Master is in my top 10 favorite films ever. But Phantom Thread was not at all like The Master. The Master had depth...and it's rare.

My hope for PTA is that he'll explore metaphysics in his future movies. It seems to be going there. The Master had vestigial memories of past lives, Inherent Vice had the mystic, "Sortilege" and Phantom Thread had the ghost of Reynold's mother. I hope PTA's next project is really experimental and out there, following these themes and clues.

[–] dmac8 (5050) 5 years ago

what's the uninteresting theme you did find?

[–] Otter (24464) 5 years ago

It's true, the film looks great and the actors are good, but it's really a let-down.

It's a story about a relationship that failed to fascinate, because yes, the relationship is unusual, but it's just not dramatic enough to sustain two hours of movie. And the fashions were so disappointing, and this is one film where that's *not* a minor complaint! It's actually important, this is a film where everyone acts like Woodcock is such a genius that he's removed from all normal social obligations... and the dresses are not the work of a genius.

[–] Jones70 (6195) 5 years ago

Sorry to hear that

[–] DaveBowman2001 (472) 5 years ago

I enjoyed it, but I don't feel compelled to rewatch like other PTA movies (Inherent Vice, TWBB, The Master) to catch the deeper meanings. It does seem to be missing that certain something I've come to expect with PTA. I do feel like there was a theme with his late mother that wasn't explored as much as I expected...unless you want to relate some supernatural presence bringing him together with the girl.