‘The power of the Dog’ movie review: A different, deftly done Western drama

Published: Dec. 7, 2021, 1:59 p.m.

First things first, if you’re a Nepali with Netflix and haven’t watched “14 Peaks”, well, you might as well be a social outcast. And please don’t expect a review from me either. I don’t want to be biased, which I surely will, having followed Nimsdai’s journey from even before he began his expedition. Also, if you’re a Nepali with Netflix, please steer clear of this latest Bollywood action flick that kind of pushes our neighboring country’s ruling party’s agendas, so obviously it starts to creep you out. I couldn’t even reach the interval, so no review for that either.

This brings us to our review of the week and this time I’ll begin first with the recommendation itself. “The Power of the Dog”, a Western drama written and directed by Jane Campion, is highly recommended, especially for cinema connoisseurs who like movies that have depth in their story, screenplay, direction and acting. The Power of the Dog is one of those rare Westerns written and directed by a woman; it is also not your typical Western flick. There are no lawbreaking, gun-slinging cowboys and lawmen on horses. Instead, the film, based in 1925 Montana, shows life at a ranch and its people in a whole different light.

Brothers Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Burbank (Jesse Plemons ) are wealthy ranch owners in Montana. The two, while appearing close, with them sharing a room even as adults living in a large house, are totally different by nature. Phil is a hardened, gruff, masochistic cowboy while George is more refined, soft-hearted and gentle. The brothers also continuously talk about Bronco Henry, a deceased friend and mentor, with gratitude and fond memories.

Both middle-aged bachelors, George meets inn owner Rose Garden (Kirsten Dunst), a widow, and falls for her. Smitten, George marries her without informing Phil and brings her to live in the ranch. Phil, on the other hand, hates Rose as he thinks she is seducing George to take over his wealth while he also hates and mocks her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) for being effeminate. The entry of Peter—a medical student whose studies are being funded by George—into the ranch during his summer break sets into motion a dynamic that makes up the rest of the film.

Also read: Lappan Chhappan movie review: Old gangsta gig gone wrong

The Power of the Dog is slow and gritty. But it is also aesthetically beautiful. There are multiple long shots that establish the beautiful landscapes of the regions the film is shot in. Long shots also represent the constant mental turmoil of each character. Ari Wegner’s cinematography is solemnly artistic and the lighting as well as color tones reinforce the film’s somberness.

From the very beginning, the background music forecasts impending doom. But even as the music gets ominous, the visual progression towards the darker side is deliberately delayed. The characters do not get suddenly angry. There’s a cucumber-like coolness in all the main characters, making the audience uneasy at times. Sometimes not getting what one expects makes for a thrilling experience, it seems.

In his role, the young actor Kodi Smit-McPhee equals the skills and earnestness of industry veterans Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. Each of the lead actors gives their career-best performances in this movie that demands their respective characters to be layered, complex and yet relatable. Writer and director Campion makes ample use of the acting powerhouses, making for a delightful watch.

Who should watch it?

For an average audience, The Power of the Dog might seem slow and lengthy. But for someone who enjoys various aspects of a movie including acting, direction, background score, cinematography and other technical factors, it is an unmissable film.