Phantom Thread, well what can I say? This is probably the best film I’ve seen since Dan Day Lewis and Paul Thomas Anderson got together last time on There Will Be Blood (2007).
I’d read a little bit about it, before I saw it. No spoilers, but none of the reviews, or previews I read mentioned that this is one of the funniest films you’ll ever see. I’ve only seen it once at this point, and I can’t wait to see it again, I had no idea the sheer level of awkward comedy in the film.
Obviously it’s directed by an American, but it has captured that particular type of British, brittle, fastidious, shrillness, that’s irritating, irritated and pretty much unique to some awkward buggers in the UK – and when we burst the bubble of these types of creatures it can be very funny.
I don’t think I’ve laughed so much at a film set in the UK since Withnail and I – high praise indeed.
Of course, there’s a lot more in the film than that – a dark, twisted and comfortingly sick love story. Some people won’t get it. Some people will get it, and if you recognise yourself in either the male or female characters – seek help.
Matthew Cooper has been a script writer for hire for over 20 years. He’s written for most of the UK soaps, including writing award winning episodes of Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal Television Society nominated as a script writer. He’s also a leading UK script consultant. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb. You can get in touch with Matthew on matcoop23@yahoo.co.uk or hire him on Peopleperhour