The Power of the Dog (2021) - SPOILER-FREE Review
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Directed by: Jane Campion
Written by: Jane Campion
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Runtime: 127 min
Synopsis: Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.
I don't know if it's due to her 12-year hiatus, but The Power of the Dog is my first experience with Jane Campion's filmography. Bright Star (2009) was the last movie directed by the filmmaker, one of only seven women to ever be nominated for Best Director at the Oscars, as well as the first female director to win the Palme d'Or - these two achievements were for 1993's The Piano. Therefore, my expectations were very much based on festival feedback, cast, and the inevitable awards buzz almost every film released around this time gets. As a fan of westerns, I was curious to see if this adaptation of Thomas Savage's novel would bring something new to the genre.
Visually, this is one of the most stunning movies of the year. I often distrust people when they say a film is "beautiful" since this adjective is thrown around too casually nowadays. Image and sound quality have improved drastically over the last decade, as well as the exponential evolution of visual effects, so it's not that common to witness a genuinely horrendous-looking flick anymore. However, The Power of the Dog undoubtedly deserves this particular praise. Ari Wegner (Zola) offers absolutely gorgeous, painting-like shots from all types of angles. From the intimate close-ups in incredibly tense scenes to the awe-inspiring wide shots, the lingering camera work is elevated by the minimal yet essential editing work by Peter Sciberras (The King).
Campion takes the best out of her technical crew, using the award-worthy cinematography to pull the audience closer to the complex characters. The dark, cold interiors contrast with the broad, breathtaking landscapes in a remarkable fashion. Jonny Greenwood's (Spencer) immersive score surrounds the viewers with a pensive atmosphere, which sometimes can feel a bit too lengthy and tedious, dragging the overall piece. Nevertheless, it's the four-act screenplay and its exquisite character development that make The Power of the Dog one of the strongest streaming contenders for this competitive season.
As someone with zero knowledge about the novel, trailers, or even what the movie was really about, I felt the first half aimless and partially confusing due to how quick some plot points were being unraveled. Time flows in an unconventionally fast manner, yet the pacing of the film is purposefully and continuously slow. Divided in four acts explicitly defined by title cards, it's not until Rose's son, Peter - portrayed by Kirsten Dunst (Woodshock) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Dark Phoenix), respectively - arrives at the ranch for the summer break that the story starts going through surprising developments with a clear, shocking outcome. In hindsight, the first half is indeed quite important to establish the numerous differences between the brothers, Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George (Jesse Plemons).
While George is a kind, decent, presentable man who treats women with the utmost respect, Phil is the complete opposite: a cruel, rude, despicable male presence who refuses to shower or show any sort of weakness. The Power of the Dog is a thematically rich narrative about (toxic) masculinity, jealously, resentment, bullying, and also takes an unexpected turn into a subject matter I prefer readers to experience for themselves without previous awareness - it's somewhat present in the trailers, but I still consider it too big of a hint to a massive spoiler. Nevertheless, it's the topic of masculinity that steals the spotlight. From its meaning to other people's perceptions, the definition of "being a man" is examined through an intricate, thought-provoking story.
Despite the film being set in 1925 Montana, the idea that to be a man, you need to be strong, independent, brave, confident and show significant levels of manliness is still present today, though admittedly more as a stereotype than a basic life principle. Phil and Peter are the best examples of the famous line "don't judge a book by its cover". These two characters share an emotionally compelling arc that delves deep into their perceived weaknesses, despite leading to a rather underwhelming conclusion, considering the unconventional western drama. In the end, the performances genuinely transform an otherwise good movie into a "for your consideration" feature.
Benedict Cumberbatch (Avengers: Endgame) may have delivered a career-best display. The entire cast offers interpretations packed with subtleties, but Cumberbatch shines in a complex role where the character is overwhelmed with heavy feelings such as love, grief, jealously, anger, and uncertainty, but he can't actually show any of it. Instead, Phil becomes the epitome of a toxic male, psychologically bullying Rose, constantly calling his brother "fatso", and making fun of Peter, all to hide what he recognizes as unmanly feelings. Undoubtedly, the standout of a film that might give the British actor his second Oscar nomination.
Kodi Smit-McPhee is excellent as Peter, a young man who enjoys doing activities most men don't do at his age, like arranging paper flowers or playing with a hula hoop. However, it gradually becomes noticeable that the character follows the same arc as Phil, just in the opposite direction. When their arcs cross paths, the movie offers some of the most captivating, tense moments of the entire runtime. Jesse Plemons (Antlers) and Dunst share good chemistry, although the actress clearly steps up to deliver an outstanding performance as a widow and mother with growing alcohol problems and suffering from domestic abuse. Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho) surprisingly appears but feels way too overqualified for such an irrelevant role.
Final Thoughts
The Power of the Dog is a thought-provoking, deep study of (toxic) masculinity surrounded by exceptional performances and truly stunning cinematography. Jane Campion breaks her decade-long directing hiatus, returning with an unconventional take on the western genre packed with heavy, rich themes, all developed through emotionally powerful, extraordinary character arcs. Despite the occasionally dull pacing and underwhelming ending, the layered narrative holds numerous interesting topics that Benedict Cumberbatch and co. approach in incredibly tense interactions through the lingering camera, minimal editing, and contemplative music. The aimless first half might only be a first-watch issue, but nothing that profoundly hurts the overall piece. An awards contender that I definitely recommend watching, even more than once.
