The Power of the Dog: A Slow and Somber Western

The Power of the Dog is an example of a beautifully directed movie with an outstanding cast and a slow moving but thought-provoking story that just manages to hit every sweet spot that a movie should. It is a true rarity that a film like this comes around because it is almost a privilege to be able to watch a team of people who all manage to produce a beautiful experience, even when viewed at home and not in a theater.

The ensemble cast is phenomenal and does not necessarily have a weak link. Kristen Dunst, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Jesse Plemons have plenty of opportunities to let the depths of their abilities shine. Each role requires subtle nuance to the characters and each of the actors provide career best performances that elevate this already superb movie to an even higher level. Special shoutout should go to Jesse Plemons who has had a great few years doing movies that allow him to really showcase his range as an actor. From Todd in El Camino to Prince Joachim in Jungle Cruise, he has proven himself to be an asset in any production he is in.

The movie employs outstanding direction from one of the best active directors today, Jane Campion. She beautifully and faithfully replicates a 1920s ranch in Montana that highlights both the nostalgia-driven view of the era and the harsh realities of life on a ranch in that era. She also creates beautifully framed shots across the entire movie from establishing shots of the ranch to smaller, more intimate dialogue-driven scenes.

The story is a slow-moving look at abuse, breaking the cycle of abuse and masculinity in all its forms. It is about coming to terms with the past, not repeating the mistakes of the past and being able to move past it as a better person. For these times, it is a perfect look at how to internalize and process past abuse without minimizing it, while also making it a part of who that person is. The movie is a shade slow but well-paced, so this only works to it’s favor as it allows for deeper looks at the characters and their lives.

This movie is available to stream on Netflix and is entirely worth a watch. It is also one of the rare times that the movie is worth subscribing to a streaming service that someone may not already have, just to watch this one movie. If it is in theaters, it is also worth seeing this movie on a large screen. There is no format that this movie should not be seen in, it just should be seen by anyone who enjoys high quality movies. There is a certain gift that comes with seeing a group of people who are masters at their craft perform at this level.

Final Rating: 10/10