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

Jonny Greenwood's best soundtracks

Campion's The Piano attracted attention for its music, written by Michael Nyman. The protagonist does not speak, but communicates through the piano instead, so the instrument, the piano, was of great significance.

I interviewed Nyman right after filming this movie. When I started the interview with him, he brought along the piano sheet music and said, "I wrote an easy-to-play piece for Holly Hunter," and he gave me some tips on how to play it (as a great teacher?). The piece is catchy, yet easy even for amateurs to play. It's probably because of that music that it has gained so much support.

Like this film, music plays a major role in this one. Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood is in charge of the music this time, which is a good choice. Greenwood's sound design in " Phantom Thread " (2017, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson) was actually similar to that of Michael Nyman. Both Nyman and Greenwood are from the UK and create cutting-edge sound.

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

Greenwood's breakthrough came in " There Will Be Blood " (2007, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson), a story about a tough guy who strikes oil in the West. The protagonist, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, who only believes in himself, has something in common with Cumberbatch in "Power of the Dog." "The Power of the Dog ," also starring Daniel, deals with the very theme of human "sexual dynamics," which is similar to "The Power of the Dog" in this respect (which makes you wonder if Daniel Day-Lewis could have played Phil?).

After playing this The Game of association through sound, it seems inevitable that Greenwood was asked to write the music. According to an interview with Greenwood published in "Variety" (November 17, 2021 issue), even though it is a Western movie, he deliberately refrained from using the banjo, an instrument that is reminiscent of cowboys. "The banjo sounds somewhat dark and ominous. And Phil himself uses it in the movie, so I didn't incorporate it into the song."

Instead, Greenwood himself plays the cello. The sound of the strings expresses the twisted inner thoughts of the main character Phil, and from the beginning, you are drawn into the music, which has a somewhat unsettling atmosphere. In addition to string instruments, the piano also appears in the film. Director Campion used the piano in an impressive way not only in "The Piano" but also in " Portrait of a Lady ." There is a memorable scene in which the widow (Barbara Hershey), who holds the key to the story, plays Schubert's "Impromptu," and the piano is used effectively again this time.

Kirsten Dunst's Rose, who used to play the piano in a movie theater, is in a scene where she practices Johann Strauss's "Radetzky March" (Dunst plays the awkward piano herself in the film). Phil also plays this song on the banjo and whistles the melody. Eventually, a battle unfolds between Rose (piano) and Phil (banjo). This is also a film that makes effective use of musical instruments.

Campion herself has her own theory on music, and Greenwood said, "Her energy was a major driving force in creating the music this time." The complex emotional movements of each character are reflected in strings and piano, creating a powerful piece of music that supports the film. It has become one of the most impactful soundtracks of 2021.

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Text: Sawako Omori

Movie journalist. His books include "Lost Cinema" (Kawade Shobo Shinsha) and other books, and his translations include "Woody" (by D. Evanier, Kinema Junposha). Contributes to magazines such as ``Music Magazine'' and ``Kinema Junpo.'' A research book based on the web series, ``Mini Theater Revisited,'' is also scheduled to be published.

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