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Eve Oxspring (14 KP) rated Phantom Thread (2017) in Movies

Feb 15, 2018

Excellent performances (2 more)

Interesting concept

Beautiful cinematography

An intense character study with a side of high fashion

Contains spoilers, click to show

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this movie for days. On the surface, it's a somewhat absurd look into the life of a overly privileged, egotistical fashion designer (Day-Lewis). His every whim is provided for by his stoic sister (Manville) and a number of lovers that he, in some way or other, always manages to drive away.

It should have been forgettable, but, in fact was the complete opposite.

The lack of context really makes this film. There are clues throughout, the odd word or image littered here and there, but it is left almost entirely to the audience to piece together the meaning of everything. Woodcock clearly has issues when it comes to his mother, who taught him everything he knew and who died years before the film takes place. He projects these issues onto those around him, involving them in the "game" that is his life. As we, the audience, begin to realise this, so, too, does Alma (Krieps), his current lover. She repeatedly poisons him, knowing the only time she will be truly alone and at his full attention is when he is incapable of being anywhere else. She takes care of him almost as a mother would a small child, further adding to (or relieving?) already prevalent issues in him.

The more I think about this film, the more I love it. I admit, I didn't care for it at all when I first walked out of the cinema, but as time has passed - as I've had a chance to digest and unpack all the gifts this film gives - I find myself liking it more and more. A second viewing is definitely on the cards.

Kudos

One Night on the Island

Josie Silver

7.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of One Day in December . . . When a double-booking at...

The Weight of an Infinite Sky

Carrie La Seur

6.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

The critically acclaimed author of The Home Place explores the heart and mystery of Big Sky Country...

fiction

Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3) in Books

Jan 5, 2022

I would give this 3.5 stars but round it up to 4. While an Offer From A Gentleman has not been my favourite of the Bridgerton books I’ve read so far, it still has the ease of reading that the rest of the series has, meaning that I read it in a day again!
Benedict’s story is a retelling of the classic Cinderella story, with Sophie being the daughter of an Earl who dies suddenly and her stepmother moves her into a life of servitude. In fact, the whole book gave reminded me of the film Ever After with some of the actions and situations that Sophie found herself in.
When I first started reading and realised that it was going to be a retelling of Cinderella, I thought that I would get bored very quickly and was doubtful that I would enjoy the book at all. But I was most definitely wrong. Although Benedict definitely didn’t act like a gentleman for a lot of the book, I was glad when he realised that he had been wrong and apologised to Sophie. I also realise that by todays standards he may not have been acting like a gentleman, but back in 1817 when the majority of the book is set, that is exactly how they acted and they were very much focused on not marrying out of their class.
I flew through this, mainly because of the ease of reading Julia Quinn’s writing and also her ability to make you want to know what happens to her characters. I’m looking forward to moving onto the 4th instalment!