"He made my dreams come true"
"In return, I also gave him what he wanted most"
"What is it?"
"My everything."
"Phantom Thread" Phantom is translated as ghost, nominal; Thread can be translated as passing through, interweaving, but also clothes and threads. The combination of the two words is the whole theme of this movie, the intertwined clothes and the unpredictable love like a phantom . Compared with the Chinese translation of "Phantom Thread", I prefer another translation, Nether Duanxu. This film is not about the great life of a talented tailor, but tells you in detail the love that is entwined and intertwined like sewing a show suit.
Director PTA (Paul Thomas Anderson)'s films are generally not seen two or three times, you really can't understand what he wants to say. But this time he didn't want to discuss anything too grand with the audience, he just wanted to talk about love in his own way. The temptation, fetters, and conquest in love; being wrapped in countless gorgeous and noble skirts by him, you need to calm down and experience it layer by layer.
Reynolds, the tailor played by Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis, was a benchmark figure in British high society fashion in the 1950s. Whether it is a royal family or a socialite, there is no woman who does not want to wear a skirt designed by him. Reynolds is synonymous with nobility and sophistication, and he is the man who lives on the top of the pyramid. He put all his heart and energy into his career, almost crazy. In life, there is never a shortage of women around him. These women come and go and become his inspirational muse, but no one can stay by his side, except his sister. In Reynolds' world, there is only himself and his career, and he can't hold anyone or anything that has nothing to do with it.
Then he met Alma, a waiter at a small town restaurant. Reynolds, accustomed to the delicacy of high society, was attracted by Alma's unique temperament and tailored her clothes. Alma became his new muse. Speaking of which, this is a story similar to "Cinderella", nothing unusual. Alma naturally fell in love with Reynolds, the man who made countless gorgeous dresses for her, the man who was spotless and absolutely perfect all the time.
Love is possession, an uncontrollable desire to conquer. Alma wants to give everything to please Reynolds, and all Reynolds cares about is why you use lettuce with butter I don't like, and why you ruin my night.
He is withdrawn, egoistic, and impersonal; he binds himself in his own mean world, and no one wants to break into it. Alma had finally had enough of this game of being manipulated and restrained, and the relationship developed into a second phase where she was going to break out his perfectly hard shell. She trapped the ever-beautiful Reynolds on the couch with poisonous mushrooms, and he was as fragile and helpless as a child for a moment; Alma whispered in his ear, let me take care of you, and I'll be there when you need me.
In this way, she finally invaded his world. This made Reynolds feel dangerous and overwhelmed. His life was disrupted, more and more contradictions erupted from different class backgrounds, and he was unable to concentrate on his work. Reynolds tried to escape, to drive Alma out, only to find himself in her trap. It's not the mushrooms that are poisonous, it's love.
Everything has a dark side, and so does love. Alma won this game. In order to conquer her lover, she did not hesitate to destroy the other party's body and career; when you have nothing, it is when you truly belong to me.
"I want you to lie flat on your bed, feeling helpless, soft, vulnerable and honest, only I can help you, and then you'll be strong again"
Reynolds no longer struggled and struggled, he swallowed the poisonous mushroom willingly. He is willing to fall ill by his lover's side, he is willing to tear off his perfect mask, and he is willing to love her.
"Kiss me before I get sick, love"
Before writing this official account, I was worried that my language was too lacking to write the beauty of this movie. From the beginning to the end of the film, every frame is like an oil painting, every costume is beautiful, and there is no doubt that it won the best costume design of this Oscar. This is an extremely literary film, the camera and dialogue progress very slowly, accompanied by classical music that is integrated with the atmosphere of the film, like an art exhibition.
The film is the remnant of Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, and some people joked that Daniel stopped making films because he wanted to change careers to become a seamstress after making this film. Because he is so perfect in the film, the sunken eye sockets, and the inadvertent gestures are all too sexy and elegant. In Daniel's comparison, the heroine's performance seems a little less detailed, and the character's room should be more than that.
Finally, I want to talk about PTA, the director of the film. His film theme is always grand, and I dare not interpret it easily. In the development of the relationship between the male and female protagonists, Reynolds stood at the highest point at the beginning. Under Alma's resistance and restriction, he and Alma's status began to be equal, and they were finally conquered by Alma. This time, behind the theme of love, it also alludes to the slavery and anti-slavery of the class system, with a touch of "Jane Eyre". I won't do too much analysis on this topic, for fear that I don't understand enough.
Many people say that this movie expresses a morbid view of love, but the charm of movies and dramas is here, and love has its own look in different movies.
Maybe you will have a different understanding from me after watching this film. You are welcome to communicate with me.
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