The Power of the Dog
A gorgeous, slow-burn, erotic Western noir that can’t be put neatly into a little box; and is all the better for it.
Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) inspires fear and awe in those around him; even his brother George (Jesse Plemons). When George falls in love with suicide-widower Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst), and brings her and her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) to the ranch he shares with his brother, Phil immediately takes umbrage with the new woman and young man in his space. But over time, his torment of Peter gives way to mentorship, and the potential for romance.
Directed by indie-darling and cinema legend Jane Campion, The Power Of The Dog is a stunning, slow-burn piece of filmmaking that blends everything romantic about the western period with everything detestable about it too. The film is perfectly paced, incredibly well shot, and ultimately unfurls a plot that is part erotic thriller, part revenge plot, and part romance, all in one. It’s a triumphant and engaging feature, that will have you thinking about it long after you leave the theatre.
The performances are uniformly fantastic across the board, but you can’t speak about this film without speaking about Cumberbatch, who is absolutely magnetic in this role. It’s an intense and engaging performance, and he, along with the film, do a lot of heavy-lifting with glances, looks and pauses, rather than bashing us over the head with exposition.
The Power Of The Dog is a gorgeous piece of cinema, and anyone who loves dramatic tension, great storytelling, and beautiful cinematography should make a beeline for it.
