The Power of the Dog is a mesmerizing Western-themed drama directed by Jane Campion, marking her return after a 12-year hiatus. This Netflix original film is set in the 1920s in the mountains of Montana and presents a compelling and complex narrative that explores various themes such as romance, drama, and Western. The movie, which was released on December 1, 2021, after premiering at the Venice International Film Festival on September 2, 2021, is an adaptation of a novel by Thomas Savage.
The Plot
The Power of the Dog tells the story of two Burbank brothers, Phil and George, who are respected and feared as tough ranchers by everyone in town. After stopping at a small town for lunch and a night’s rest, they took off again with their cattle, followed by their workers. The night’s rest was provided by Rose, who owns the hotel and restaurant where they stayed. Phil made a remark about Peter’s paper flowers, Rose’s son, making her shed a tear. Later, Phil made fun of the flowers by burning them to light his cigarette. George, being sensitive, went to the kitchen to console Rose.
When they returned to the ranch, George routinely went for long drives, and he told Phil that he visited Rose during those trips. Phil responded by ridiculing his brother, but George revealed he was married to Rose. Rose then relocated to the ranch with George, while Peter went to a medical school for further studies. Phil, who did not like Rose’s presence at the ranch, remained aloof from her. Though Rose was not initially intimidated by Phil’s cold demeanor, it probably had an impact on her later.
George intended to host a dinner party with the governor and his wife as guests. The parents of Phil and George were also invited to the dinner. George asked Rose to play the piano for the governor, even buying her a new one. When Rose was practicing, Phil was secretly playing his guitar at home. He played the same song that Rose was practicing, and suddenly, Rose recognized the melody and knew immediately that Phil is playing her favorite song. However, she didn’t know that Phil was in the house all the time.
During the dinner party, Rose felt uncomfortable in front of the governor and her in-laws, especially when the governor asked about Phil’s absence. George asked Phil, but Phil refused to come, still brooding over the comment his brother made about him. Rose was encouraged forcibly by George to play the piano, but she eventually couldn’t perform. During the dinner party, Phil arrived and insulted Rose before the governor left.
Peter came to the ranch during the school holidays. He appeared different from the other male workers at the farm, leading to Phil mocking him. Rose started drinking alcohol and became addicted to it, secretly stashing her liquor bottles in various hidden places, including under her pillow, the small closet in her bedroom, and even behind the trash dump at the back of her house, which Phil later found out. Peter discovered a closed-off trail in the woods, which led him to a small house filled with magazines right before Phil spotted him and chased after him.
Phil reconciled with Peter a few days later and even taught Peter how to ride a horse after creating a lasso for him. After Peter learned how to ride, he explored the mountain trail, discovered a dead cow, and even skinned it. Later, Phil’s hand was injured while he was catching a rabbit hiding under a pile of wood while he was building a fence. Rose, who didn’t like Peter getting closer to Phil, sank deeper into alcoholism. She even sold Phil’s cowhide to an Indian merchant, which made Phil furious when he found out.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Power of the Dog is a must-watch film that has expertly blended drama, romance, and Western genres into a compelling narrative that will keep you hooked all the way through. The Oscar contender’s story has been expertly handled by Jane Campion, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst delivering fantastic performances. It is an evergreen film that manages to be timeless despite its setting in the 1920s.
