SMALLS FEELS THE POWER OF THE DOG

 This review was originally posted to Letterboxd on December 5, 2021.

A western tackling themes of masculinity. Rancher brothers Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George (Jesse Plemons) are seemingly starting to grow apart. It doesn't help that George is quiet, soft-spoken, and sensitive while Phil is a brash, rough bully. The rift in the brotherly bond only gets worse when George marries Rose (Kirsten Dunst), whom has an effeminate and odd son named Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Peter's and Rose's increased presence in his life doesn't take long to get under Phil's skin, and the jerk takes most chances he gets to torment Rose and Peter...that is, until Peter makes a surprising discovery about Phil that changes the dynamic between the two.

Power of The Dog's cast is pretty top tier, and everyone brings their A game. Kisten Dunst as Rose brings a fragility and vulnerability to her struggling housewife, who cannot cope with the new expectations placed upon her. This is easily one of Dunst's best performances. Plemons likewise is very sweet and likable as a man who seems to have grown out of love with the life he's living and the people he's surrounded by until Rose and Peter enter the picture.

Kodi Smit McPhee continues to impress, though he doesn't really enter the film until an hour in (not counting his two or so scenes in the first act). Peter is a genuinely odd presence who manages to continually emanate warmth, yet Power of The Dog continually teases us with the possibility that he might be poised to go down a much darker path. All this said, it's really Benedict Cumberbatch who steals the show. Power of The Dog focuses on Phil for almost all of the run time, and this is almost more his story than it is anyone else's. He has a rich, interesting, and sad backstory that explains why he is the way he is but doesn't excuse his behavior. The multiple scenes where Phil gets to spend some much needed alone time are haunting and gorgeous.

The friendship that starts to form between Phil and Peter is the basis for the last 25 minutes or so of the film, and it's here where things really start to get interesting. Peter starts to become a bit more like Phil (much to Rose's horror and concern), and Phil begins to soften up a bit. Of course, things aren't exactly how they appear. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the score by Jonny Greenwood, which is minimalist, folk-sy, and damn near close to perfect.

The choice to use an "Old West" setting to explore themes of warring masculinities is an inspired one that works incredibly well (though, this film is based upon the 19667 novel of the same name). Power of The Dog is a film boasting a strong cast, permeated by strong performances, with some big topics to talk about. It's definitely recommended viewing as not only is it a exceptionally well-crafted film, but what it has to say about masculinity is worth hearing as well.

4.5 STARS