Shane Conto
How does acclaimed director Jane Campion make a splash in 2021? Campion’s The Piano took the film world by storm in the early 90’s with its story of lust and repression. Repression? Sounds quite familiar when looking at her latest film, The Power of the Dog, which finally landed on its streaming home on Netflix. A Western that puts a cast of characters against each other on one ranch owned by two well off brothers. The familial tensions rise and deliver plenty of conflict to spark this suspense and engrossing narrative.
But what it The Power of the Dog? This Biblical passage closes out this incredible film and punches home the raw and impactful themes of this striking film. Repression (as mentioned before) is a central theme that runs deep in the secretive and cut off existence of Phil Burbank. Dirty, rugged, fiery, Benedict Cumberbatch channels this mercurial and intimidating force into this scary character. There is a lot more to Phil’s past (especially the relationship between him and his great “friend” who he certainly mourns every day. The film also challenges its audience to support its characters despite the terrible lengths they will go to support the ones they love. The morality peaks in the finale as it asks a seemingly fitting question of “what would you pay to support others”.
What will you notice when you pull up Netflix to start your stream? This film is gorgeous. The cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful as the audience gets to see the true majesty of the engrossing landscape. The framing is top-notch, and the landscape is brought to life on screen. Then you have the music…Jonny Greenwood. He channels his forceful and eerie offerings from There Will Be Blood to create a soundscape that will leave the audience shaken. Atmospheric, there is a foreboding nature to the score that makes sure that the audience is on the edge of their seat in every scene. This pitch perfect combo of music and direction creates a perpetual suspense that will leave you drained and battered (it the best way) by the time the credits start rolling.
Of course, the direction is engrossing as discussed but what about the screenplay? The themes are poignant all the way to the final frame. The level of detail is awe-inspiring. This film will grow and grow through repeat viewings because the script is so rich and there is so much to unpack and appreciate. The smallest of details add layers to an already rich narrative that propels this smoldering fire forward. What is most impressive is that the resolution of this tale crawls into your brain and will grow and flesh out. The more you think about it, the more you will be shocked by what you have seen. A fiery and abusive rancher repressing some deep and buried feelings. His brother falls for a lonely widow. A toxic existence caused by the rancher that leads to dangerous addiction in that woman. The son that she wants to protect who takes it upon himself to shake this family to the core. Compelling and rich, this film is a force to be reckoned with.
But who drives this powerful force right at the center? Cumberbatch. His performance is full of rage and a shocking vulnerability that sleeks deep below the surface. His abusive and bludgeoning presence is always felt (even when he is not on screen). He affects everyone on screen in surprising ways. It is almost hard to focus on Jesse Plemons because his character is constantly being overshadowed by Cumberbatch’s Phil. There are some genuine emotional beats for Plemons (whose screentime is small compared to the rest of the leads) and they act as an anchor for the rest of the proceedings. Kirsten Dunst is impressive in her vulnerable role as the alcohol abusing wife of Plemons who is constantly abused by Cumberbatch. There is a genuine and raw delivery that Dunst opens her character for plenty of empathy from the audience. She goes on a tragic roller coaster journey (and she sells it so well). The most intriguing performance of all just might be from Kodi Smit-McPhee. Hard to read and an oddity to the rest, Smit-McPhee’s Gordon is a character who grows so much over the course of the film. The way he plays off Cumberbatch is intriguing and tantalizing. The magnetic onscreen chemistry is so engrossing that it is hard to ignore the unique addition that Smit-McPhee brings to the film.
Where does this new Western stack up? Netflix certainly has found a winner on their hands. Campion is showing that she has not lost a stride and honestly this might be her crowning achievement. There are few films these years or in recent years to deliver such a well-rounded and impactful film that will most certainly pick up plenty of attention over the next few months. The Power of the Dog makes a great film (from a technical standpoint), the performances are some of the bests of the year, and the screenplay is full of layers that need to be analyzed more. This will be one of the most balanced and powerful films of all year.
