“The Power of the Dog” Jane Campion and a new Western movie unique to the 2020s

Interesting as a crime mystery

This is Campion's first film in 12 years, during which she has also worked on the BBC TV mystery series Top of the Lake (2013) and its sequel China Girl (2017). Although she did not direct all of the episodes, she was in charge of the overall concept. Having worked on these TV series, this film can also be enjoyed as a crime mystery.

Looking back, his New York-set film " In the Cut " (2003) also had a mystery touch and dealt with serial killers. It also included a sexual relationship between a university lecturer played by Meg Ryan and a detective (Mark Ruffalo) investigating the case, creating a fantastical, nightmarish style. Although it was not a success, his attempt to combine crime and erotic atmospheres continued in his subsequent works.

The "Top of the Lake" series dealt with themes surrounding female sexuality, such as pregnancy, rape, prostitution, adultery, and lesbian love, and incorporated elements of crime movies to create a thrilling plot. Although it was a mystery, it did not focus on precise plots or details, but instead placed emphasis on emotions and expanded the mystery by delving into the depths of human psychology.

Netflix movie “The Power of the Dog” now available exclusively

The original novel by Thomas Savage on which this film is based has a shocking structure for a crime novel in the second half, with one astonishing line at the end in particular completely changing the story up to that point (I read the book before seeing the film and was horrified by the unexpected punchline).

Since movies are a different medium from novels, they cannot use the same techniques as novels, but the movie version also ends with a toxic ending. I also wanted to check the process as a crime movie, so I wanted to watch it from the beginning again (for example, the setting that the wild child Phil does not wear gloves when working is an important foreshadowing of the later developments).

Ali Wegener's cinematography is also excellent, with many shots that are deliberately meaningful, which will come into play later. "I chose Ali because she's a cameraman with a really great perspective" (Zoomer Com. December 1, 2021 issue), Campion said, and the shadowy images of this female cameraman create a mysterious atmosphere throughout the story. The film is set in Montana, but the actual filming took place in New Zealand.

Great performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and his co-stars