Phantom Thread

Like everyone else, when Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia came out, I took notice.  Here was a singular voice not afraid to play by his own rules to get at the truth of the human condition.  It was layered with symbol and subtext and whimsy and pain.  We all waited to see what "PTA" would do next.

Then came Punch-Drunk Love.  It was satisfyingly odd and f…