Last year, awards experts had their work cut out for them. In the aftermath of the autumn festivals, just two films (La La Land and Moonlight) emerged victorious, culminating in both teams mounting the steps of Hollywood’s Dolby stage on Oscar night. The landscape today is a lot less certain. Who deserves a trophy? A scrappy first-time film-maker? An overlooked 89-year-old screenwriter? One thing we know for sure is that the following films represent the best of this award season’s extraordinary output.
9. Phantom Thread
BFI
Givenchy had Audrey Hepburn; McQueen had Annabelle Neilson; and now Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) has Alma (Vicky Krieps). Phantom Thread delves deep into the stylish world of 1950s fashion in London, unravelling the tensions underpinning the relationship between creator and muse. Sartorial splendour aside, the main interest fuelling Paul Thomas Anderson’s period drama is that it marks the three-time Academy Award winner Daniel Day-Lewis’ final film. In light of the actor’s retirement announcement in June, it is almost unthinkable that his swansong will fail to ensure his position on the Oscar ballot.
