Master actor Daniel Day-Lewis takes his job very seriously. It’s part of his legend. Famous for digging deep into a role to uncover a character’s essence, Day-Lewis plays couturier Reynolds Woodcock in Paul Thomas Anderson’s new movie Phantom Thread. Day-Lewis customarily delved into the day-to-day existence of Woodcock, right down to getting the professional skills down. Day-Lewis apprenticed and learned how to sew in the costume department of the New York City ballet. In prepping for his role with typical dedication, the actor knocked off a dress there by Balenciaga. Smart man that he is, Day-Lewis made the elegant garment in his wife’s size! (Day-Lewis is married to the actress Rebecca Miller. He told W mag about his homage to Balenciaga.)
#PhantomThread wins @NBRfilm award for Best Original Screenplay and is named one of the Top Ten Films of 2017. https://t.co/bAcirhvVAQ pic.twitter.com/19qsjKGEoy
— Phantom Thread (@Phantom_Thread) November 28, 2017
The making of the film may have resulted in a new dress for Miller, but it so depressed Day-Lewis that when he was finished he quit acting, announcing his retirement in June. (He has dropped out before, but not with such a statement.) Is he retiring because Day-Lewis hopes to be the next Stella McCartney or Alexander McQueen? Rebecca Miller can only hope. Oscars look nice around the house no doubt — Day-Lewis has three of them (There Will Be Blood, Lincoln, My Left Foot). But if he can keep making her Balenciaga-inspired couture, then let the movies do without him.
