Sydney Film Festival 2021 - Film Review - The Power of the Dog

Benedict Cumberbatch - The Power of the Dog

 
Producer/Director/Screenwriter Jane Campion has returned to film making after a long absence with this dark Western period piece thriller set in Montana (but filmed in New Zealand) in the year 1925. With a key cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee with superb cinematography, Campion demonstrates again her skill in this genre. She won Best Director at the Venice Film Festival in 2021 for this film.

The plot contains elements of hyper male masculinity, dark brooding menace and harsh conditions on a ranch run the Burbank brothers Phil (Cumberbatch) and George (Pelmons). George is quiet and calm while his brother Phil is charismatic, muscular and bullying of those he deems inferior. Enter into this mix is the widowed restaurant-owner Rose (Dunst) and her sensitive son, Peter (Smit-McPhee). When George marries Rose and she joins the household her quiet manner enrages Phil who reacts with his  brooding and often aggressive manner.  His behaviour increasingly depresses the gentle Rose leading to her growing dependence on alcohol. The tension builds between the characters as George tries establish a more peaceful environment for his wife and step son while Phil seeks to sabotage his efforts.

Campion has positioned the protagonists expertly in this story and when the conflict reaches its climax and then end point, it is through the most unexpected method of intervention from the least obvious character.  Much of the production and technical staff of this film are Australian and this proficiency contributes to a quality production.