The Power of the Dog

In this slow chamber drama in a cold autumnal setting, feelings are hardly spoken of and only simmer between the characters, supported by dramatic music that in places is reminiscent of that used in a thriller. Jane Campion again sits down at the piano and this time avoids all of the narrative clichés that occur to the viewer while watching. And with a careful psychological study of the characters, she transforms the film into a work of art that poses more questions than it answers. The Power of the Dog is interesting and distinctive, with the nature of a festival film. But it left me cold. Cumberbatch is brilliant. (2021-12-09)

The Power of the Dog feels like one of those artsy dramas that teases a deeper homosexual theme, only to pivot back to a more traditional American drama set in the 1920s. In the end, it’s mostly about the pretty visuals, which, in the context of the story, don’t add up to much. Jane Campion’s style is all over this film, and while I can appreciate her work, it just didn’t click for me here. (2021-12-05)

It's one thing to make a movie that's boring as hell whose every second is absolutely mind-numbing and unbearable. But when it’s combined with a totally off-putting soundtrack, a pathetic artsy narrative style, a seemingly profound story, and a terribly shocking punchline, then it becomes true "art". It can win all the film awards in the world, but from my perspective, none of them are going to polish up this turd. (2022-03-07)

The Power of the Dog plays out a very interesting and engaging psychological game with the central characters in the first half. You are waiting and wishing for their frustrations to quietly simmer away and eventually explode violently. However, that is not going to happen; the second half pretty much pushes it all into a corner in such a predictable and unexciting way that you almost feel sorry for the promising beginning. In any case, Benedict Cumberbatch has convinced me that he is a great actor - if there is one reason to watch this movie, it is his performance. Plus, the movie has a very impressive score. (2021-12-25)

Kodi Smit-Mcphee is going to have a hard time from the LGBT community. The Power of the Dog is a really weird family drama set in Montana in 1925, where it seems a key scene is missing, but wait! That’s on purpose. The characters suddenly change their demeanor thanks to something that happens off-camera. Campion simply hints at it and leaves the viewer to do the thinking. So the picture plays through without any sort of catharsis. It all stands on the shoulders of an excellent Cumberbatch who makes the very most of playing the rancher, really enjoying it. (2021-10-28)