I was under the false impression that "The Power of the Dog" had something to do with a canine. Wrong. The title is referenced in some Biblical quote which is revealed at the very end of the movie. If you managed to make it to the end. This film is as dreary and dull as a film can get.
Beyond the false advertising of the title, it also appears that you are getting a western. Well, not unless you consider 1925 Montana the wild, wild west. It is the frontier and there are a bunch of cowboy-like characters but they do very little to warrant a story.
A story? As if this movie has one. Oh, there's some slender thread of a tale about two brothers. One...the civilized guy...marries a widow and her teenage son who might be gay. The uncivilized brother likes to swim naked in the mud and naturally he takes the son under his wing. If that sounds interested, you fell for the gag. I guess you might call this one a psychological drama. Well, you have to be a little psycho to make any logic out of this. You've heard the adage that nothing happens and a lot happens. Well, in this misfire from the overrated Jane Campion, nothing happens...period.
And, also, we have yet another movie which is lit by Stevie Wonder. Even in daytime scenes, it's hard to see the actors' faces. As if you want to. Okay, Kirsten Dunst has a moment or two as the widow. But, as the ruthless brother, I can take or leave Benedict Cumberbatch. I know he has his legion of fans, but his worthiness is lost on me, especially with that name which sounds more like one of a rabbit in a children's novel.
Again, this is all lost on me especially since this film got a leading 12 Oscar nominations. I missed something. I apparently missed everything. And I sure do wish there really was a dog in this one. Even a rabid one.
LEN'S RATING: One star.
Dinner last night: Went to a screening so nothing really.
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