The Power Of The Dog (2021)

Set in 1925 Montana (but filmed in New Zealand), a prosperous rancher (Jesse Plemons) marries a widow (Kirsten Dunst) with a teenage son (Kodi Smith McPhee). The rancher's brother (Benedict Cumberbatch) resents the marriage and his taunting causes her to turn to alcohol. Based on the novel by Thomas Savage and directed by Jane Campion (THE PIANO). A superbly crafted film that reasserts Campion's position as not only one of the premier female directors but one of the best film directors period. Perhaps overly languid, there were times I longed to light a match under the proceedings so the film would move closer to its point but in the end, its storytelling justified its pace. There's a lot on Campion's plate here and she neatly (perhaps too neatly, the film could have used a surprise or two) sews this cinematic quilt into a cohesive piece. If the film has a flaw (other than its pacing), it's that its conclusion lacks any punch which leaves its audience hungry after the anticipation of a payoff. Acting wise, it's flawless with Cumberbatch particularly impressive. Ari Wegner's cinematography is imposing as is Jonny Greenwood's restrained underscore. With Keith Carradine, Frances Conroy and Thomasin McKenzie.