Composing Greatness: #14. The Freshman Class of the 2010's - "Phantom Thread" (2017)

Scene from Phantom Thread

Welcome to Composing Greatness: a column dedicated to exploring the work of film composers. This will specifically focus on the films that earned them Oscar nominations while exploring what makes it so special. This will be broken down into a look at the overall style, interesting moments within the composition, and what made the score worth nominating in the first place. This will also include various subcategories where I will rank the themes of each film along with any time that the composer actually wins. This is a column meant to explore a side of film that doesn't get enough credit while hopefully introducing audiences to an enriched view of more prolific composers' work. This will only cover scores/songs that are compiled in an easily accessible format (so no extended scores will be considered). Join me every Sunday as I cover these talents that if you don't know by name, you recognize by sound.

*NOTE: Originally ran as part of Oscars 2018 Edition coverage

Series Composer: Jonny Greenwood

Entry: Phantom Thread (2017)

Collaborators (If Available): N/A

Nomination: Best Original Score

Other Nominees:
-Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Carter Burwell)
-The Shape of Water (Alexandre Desplat)
-Star Wars: The Last Jedi (John Williams)
-Dunkirk (Hans Zimmer)

Note: Listen to the score here.

Exploring the Music

The area of the column where I will explore the music in as much detail as I see fit for each entry.

What's So Great About It?

After a decade of collaborating with Paul Thomas Anderson, I'm so excited to see Jonny Greenwood get nominated for what is probably his most accomplished score. It manages to have just enough of that avant garde style dropped into the mix with distorted pianos and elegant string orchestrations that sound a little warped. It's a classical score with a perverse bent that manages to feel at times like something beautiful. It fits the theme of the film, which is haunting in how it portrays an unconventional love story. Greenwood has always done well when it comes to reinventing the modern concept of score, and I love the way he uses motifs throughout this score not only in melody, but in different instrumental styles. 

What's So Bad About It?

For those who found There Will Be Blood to be a bit high pitched and niche, this is more of the same. The only difference is that it has better central melodies that capture something less anarchic. Even then, it's a bit slow and repetitive at points, capturing something that manages to also be a bit dull at points. Greenwood's ingenuity is able to keep this problem to a minimum, but it definitely will hit those not used to the screeching noises of string instruments, or care for the slow build that comes with each track. Much like the characters, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and how much of this style you can take will vary per person.

Did This Deserve an Oscar Nomination?:
Yes

As long term readers will know, I started this blog because of The Master in 2012. So of course I am ecstatic to see Jonny Greenwood finally make the cut. It's a beautiful piece of work, and I'd argue is one of his most accomplished works in general. As great as the central "Phantom Thread" motifs are, he manages to incorporate his off-kilter style throughout the score in fascinating ways. Had it not been for The Shape of Water, I would even go so far as to suggest that this should win. I love its rich tapestry of a score, and hope that this is the first of many times we shall be seeing him in this category. He innovates so well, and it's about time he got noticed. 

Up Next: Terence Blanchard - BlacKkKlansman (2018) for Best Original Score

Best Theme

A ranking of all themes composed by The Freshman Class of the 2010's.

1. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross: "Hand Covers Bruise" - The Social Network (2010)
2. John Powell: "This is Berk" - How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
3. Mica Levi: "Intro" - Jackie (2016)
4. Jonny Greenwood - Phantom Thread (2017)
5. Johan Johannsson: "Cambridge, 1963" - The Theory of Everything (2014)
6. Mychael Danna: "Piscine Molitar Patel" - Life of Pi (2012)
7. Will Butler & Owen Pallett: "Sleepwalker" - Her (2013)
8. Gary Yershon: "Mr. Turner" - Mr. Turner (2014)
9. Ludovic Bource: "The Artist Overture" - The Artist (2011)
10. Justin Hurwitz: "Mia Gets Home" - La La Land (2016)
11. Johan Johannsson: "The Armored Vehicle" - Sicario (2015)
12. Nicholas Britell: "Little's Theme" - Moonlight (2016)
13. Hauschka & Dustin O'Halloran: "Train" - Lion (2016)
14. Steven Price: "Above Earth" - Gravity (2013)