“The Power of the Dog”: How good is the Netflix movie heading to the Oscar 2022?

A story that takes place almost exactly one hundred years ago and based on a novel by a memorable writer like Thomas Savage is a favorite for awards season. We talk about “The power of the dog”, Directed by Jane Campion, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesee Plemons, and now available on the Netflix streaming network.

The plot of the film goes as follows. Two farmer brothers (Phil and George Burbank) lead their lives without major shocks in the Montana of 1925. Suddenly, the appearance of a beautiful and indecipherable woman (Rose Gordon) ends up cracking their apparently peaceful universe. The reason: one of them ends up deeply in love with the lady, while the other seems to resist the idea of ​​sharing his “family of one” with a stranger.

“The power of the dog” is structured in what we can call acts. Each one first introduces us to the personality and traits of the Burbank brothers. Phil, played masterfully by Benedict Cumberbatch, is a cool, controlling guy. It was from his rudeness that he managed not only to become a successful farmer, but also a feared man.

At the other extreme is George (Jesee Plemons), an elegant and friendly gentleman of few words. Although he is also responsible for the success of his farm to the same extent as his brother Phil, he does not seem to live thinking that his existence is limited to the fences that prevent cows, bulls and horses from escaping.

A detail that is undeniable from the first minutes: although Phil exercises leadership (at times almost abusive) over George, at no point do we see the second react. Perhaps because he knows him better than anyone else, he remains inscrutable in the face of mockery and harsh reproaches.

Jane Campion’s film has a turning point: the day George is captivated by Rose (Kirsten Dunst), the owner of a small inn on the way home. Things would never be the same in the Burbank home again. Phil then points his anger, sarcasm and nastiness towards “this damn opportunist” who messed with his brother.

“The power of the dog”, however, is not a ‘soap opera’ in which we will see how over two hours a man humiliates an almost defenseless woman. We are facing a total project, in which no type of resources has been spared. The appearance of Peter Gordon (Kodi Smit-McpHee), Rose’s son, adds a second wind to the story. This minor, who due to his ways – in the historical context of 1925 – is an easy object of ridicule by the ‘macho’ farmers, comes to live at the Burbank house and everything changes (again).

What happens when a man with cold thoughts and gut actions meets at some point in his life with someone who is extremely patient and warm-hearted? Phil and Peter, after overcoming a rather unpleasant initial incident, end up forming a kind of complicit duo, in which the older one instructs the younger one about the farming trade.

An impossible detail to ignore when analyzing this film is the performances. From Cumberbatch giving life to a cowboy capable of almost everything so as not to be alone, through Kirsten Dunst, masterfully playing a woman lost in her fears and addictions, capable of seeing ghosts at every moment. These two – the true protagonists of the film – should be added a secondary duo, made up of Plemons (the silent brother who “discovers how happy it makes him not to be alone”) and Peter, a key medical student in the outcome of the film.

Because of its correctly selected cast, because of the beautiful landscapes it exhibits, because of the strength of its history, but fundamentally because by combining all these elements under a remarkable direction it is capable of transporting us to a world 100 years ago, “The Power of the Dog” It has motivated multiple accolades in the specialized press. In that sense, his Oscar favoritism is just the natural effect of having a masterpiece before our eyes.

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Synopsis: A domineering but charismatic rancher waged a cruel war against his brother’s new wife and son … until old secrets come to light.

Original title: “The Power of the Dog”.

List: Benedict Cumberbatch,Kirsten Dunst,Jesse Plemons.

Duration: 2 hours and 8 minutes

Classification: +16 years

Gender: Comedy drama

Rating: ★★★★★

THE DATA:

The novel “The Power of the Dog” was published in 1967.

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