Phantom Thread - 6 nominations

Best Picture, JoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison and Daniel Lupi

Actor in a Leading Role, Daniel Day-Lewis

Actress in a Supporting Role, Lesley Manville

Costume Design, Mark Bridges

Directing, Paul Thomas Anderson

Music (Original Score), Jonny Greenwood

Famous and successful fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock is a unique character.  His world is highly ordered for him, and his sister Cyril sees to it that nothing in his life disturbs him.  If his breakfast has one moment of strain, he is unable to put himself right for the rest of the day.  He is the ultimate in fussy.  Even when breaking up with a girlfriend, his sister takes care of notifying the young woman in question.  Woodcock meets and quickly takes up with a young waitress, Alma, who knows her own mind and though she adores him, she refuses to give up her will and subjugate herself to him completely.  Mind you, she puts up with a lot, but doesn't do so quietly.

Without giving away any spoilers, Phantom Thread was a very good film but took a weird turn three-quarters of the way through.  I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, Paul Thomas Anderson's unique directing lens is hit and miss for me. I loved Boogie Nights and hated The Master.  Of course the costume design is superb, and the original score is a true standout - I don't know yet if it's a contender for the big prize, but if it wins, it will have deserved it.  I couldn't stop commenting on how truly beautiful the score was.  Daniel Day-Lewis is remarkable as always, but Lesley Manville's performance stood out.  I can't claim to be familiar with all of her work, but I feel confident saying this is likely her best performance to date.

Overall, I do recommend the film, and the pacing is much faster and much more engaging than I was expecting from the previews.  Well done.