El poder del perro

I watched this movie without any particular expectations, and I was positively surprised!

This is not your usual western, the pace is really slow and I would say that it's one of those movies which are strongly based on the atmosphere more than on the plot. If this kind of movies are of your taste, I strongly recommend watching it.

The director did an amazing job in creating a tense atmosphere since the very beginning, and in keeping it up for the whole length of the screentime. The main characters are complex and well defined, and the actors were perfectly cast. I think this was my favourite performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, who once again proved to be a versatile actor.

Maybe the character that I liked less is Kirsten Stuart's, who in my opinion was a bit too one-dimensional and maybe deserved more lines or screen time, since she happened to be pretty important for the development of the plot.

I liked the twist at the ending, which I wasn't expecting since I didn't read the book the movie is based on.

Rancher Phil Burbank is brash, tough, and seemingly without humanity, his life changes however when the possibility of romance enters into his life.

You cannot casually watch this film, it doesn't allow for that, you need to be fully invested in it, or you will miss vital details. Don't be derailed by the first ten minutes or so, stick with it, as it is slow to start, but opens up incredibly well.

The visuals are incredible, those wondrous mountain ranges look phenomenal, and the incredible attention to the most minute of details is impressive, you truly feel that you're transported to the time.

I would suggest it may not be for everyone, genre wise it's a little curious, not a Romance or a Western in the strictest sense, but there are several elements here.

It's gritty, its harsh, but it's also sensual and intense, it's truly not what I was expecting.

Benedict Cumberbatch gives a truly mesmerising performance as Burbank, once again showcasing his depth and versatility. Kirsten Dunst excellent too, it's a very strong cast, with real depth.

Wow that really does look like a dog.

8/10.

I came in to this movie with little background (not even a trailer watched) and some interest at the idea of Benedict Cumberbatch playing one of the titans of Americana: the cowboy. I left with deep satisfaction; beautiful cinematography, fantastic acting, and a conclusion that came with a slow unraveling of well placed clues. The conclusion forced a recalling moment of seemingly innocuous hints at what was to come later on, a hallmark of great, subtle storytelling.

Very well made western, Greenwood's atmospheric soundtrack creates great tension to the scenes. Strong performances from Benedict Cumberbatch in a unconventional role and supporting cast impressive, Dunst, Plemons, particularly Kodi Smit-McPhee.

Found the film to be an engaging watch.

The Power of the Dog was interesting, however I couldn't decipher what it was trying to say. And while the acting from Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, and the rest of the cast is solid, the film seems a little pretentious. I also was distracted by some directorial choices. Perhaps it's because I heard so much buzz about it, but I just feel like The Power of the Dog is overrated.