The Power Of The Dog Movie Review

By
Thomas Armstrong
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The Power Of The Dog
Image Source: IMDB

Movie: The Power Of The Dog
Distributor: Transmission Films & Netflix
Production Companies: New Zealand Film Commission, Bad Girl Creek, Max Films, Brightstar, See-Saw Films, Cross City Films & BBC Film
Director: Jane Campion
Producers: Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Roger Frappier, Jane Campion & Tanya Seghatchian
Scriptwriters: Jane Campion
Main Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie, Genevieve Lemon, Keith Carradine & Frances Conroy
Release Date: November 17 2021 (UK)
Running Time: 126 Minutes
Certificate: 12A

Late last year, Oscar-winning Jane Campion brought us The Power Of The Dog. It’s an adaptation of the great literary masterpiece by Thomas Savage of the same name. After winning an Academy Award for her 1994 period drama, The Piano, Campion is no stranger to success. Last year, the Western Drama gained 3 Golden Globes as well as a Silver Lion at the 78th Venice International Film Awards. So, just how did such a movie gather so much attention? Let’s take a further look at what the hype is all about …

The Power Of The Dog

Synopsis Of The Power Of The Dog

Cattle, horses and a typical western mountain range immediately dominate the opening selection of shots, and we are plunged right into meeting the Burbank brothers, Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George (Jesse Plemons). After what comes across as a typical Montana day of cattle driving, Phil decides to take all the ranch hands out for an evening meal at a diner owned by widowed Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst) with help from her teenage son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). From this meal, we see Phil begin to despise young Peter, mocking him for being more effeminate and nowhere near as macho as his ranch hands.

A scene happens at the dinner table, which sends Rose into a fit of tears. George stays behind to apologise to her for his brother’s rude behaviour and this is where we begin to see a relationship develop between the two. The film is divided into five chapters and as George’s relationship develops with Rose, the transition between chapters allows for a significant passage of time within the narrative. And we eventually lead to them getting married.

Ranch

Rose moves into the Burbank ranch household against Phil’s will. He clearly holds contempt for Rose believing she is only with George for financial gain. Peter goes off to boarding school, thanks to his new stepfather. The hatred Phil has towards Rose only increases and comes to a boiling point when he makes an embarrassment out of her piano playing skill. Eventually, as time passes by, we see Rose deteriorate into an alcoholic, something that is suggested and later confirmed, being the reason that her ex-husband had problems. Peter returns to the ranch during a summer break to find that his mother is completely consumed by alcoholism.

Ever so slyly, we begin to see a change in Phil’s attitude towards young Peter, making a complete U-turn and going from taunting homophobic abuse to offering him a hand in friendship. The implications is that this is merely another method of indirect manipulation of torment towards Rose. As poor Rose falls deeper into the bottle, the friendship between her son and brother-in-law blooms in a surprising manner. We see an almost romantic tension between Phil and Peter. Eventually, Peter confirms Phil’s homosexuality upon stumbling across a selection of male nude magazines at a private hideout.

Analysis Of The Power Of The Dog

The Power of The Dog is a slow-burning film, which subtly nods towards possible changes and thoughts of the characters on-screen, especially Phil and Peter, which will have you second-guessing particular looks and motions carried out by the pair when together. Interestingly enough, Jonny Greenwood wrote the score for this complex cowboy tale.

Notably being a member of Radiohead, Greenwood excels and showcases his musical talents through a selection of despondent, angry french horns and mechanical piano pieces. I truly believe that it is Greenwood’s score that leans the film towards creating a tight palette of sonic dread, leaving you feeling just the right amount of unease as the narrative unfolds.

Summary Of The Power Of The Dog

The Power of The Dog is a western period drama. But don’t let this fool you. This film is a complex drama that merely takes place in the West. Depending on your level of patience, you might find yourself completely engrossed in the on-screen relationships or simply waiting for something bigger to unfold. Judging by the accolades this picture has won, many critics belong to the former. I, unfortunately, belong to the latter group.

Overall Rating: 7/10 – Respectable

So, you can watch this movie right now on Netflix.

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