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Hola amigos, buenas vibras para todos.
**Hello friends, good vibes to all.
Time for our second film of the group of nominees for this year's Oscars, The Power of the Dog. As you know my intention is to try to see all the nominated films before the date of the awards in order to have a little more criteria at the time we are enjoying them and we will do so despite the criticism that these films may have; the idea here is to forge an opinion since the quality is measured according to the eye that sees it.
The Power of the Dog is the film that leads the list of nominations with TEN I believe, among them Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress and Actor, that is, it figures in the most important categories of the awards. But is there a reason for that? - After having seen it to be able to understand why so many nominations I can say that yes, there are reasons. It is a movie that you either like it or hate it, people have very clear positions, there are no grays with it. So let's talk a little bit about this good film.
The story focuses on a couple of characters, Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Burbank (Jesse Plemons) brothers who own some cattle and land and therefore are quite important in the vicinity. The point is that from the beginning you realize that the two, despite having the same blood, are completely different as far as personality is concerned, George is calm, respectful and kind while Phil is the typical cowboy who does not care about anything, is haughty, slovenly and even a little abusive.
Despite that, they have a good relationship until a couple of other pieces come into their lives, Rose (Kirsten Dunst), the manager of a small hotel and future wife of George and his son Pete (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who is a medical student and who will be the center of the war that Phil decides to start against all of them just for the fact of having altered their circle of life. From that moment on, all kind of coexistence turns into hell because of different things that happen and turn this plot into something quite dense.
Let's see friends, this is a very heavy story, it is not the active and full of expectations film that many people like to see, you have to be clear that it is two hours of a very good drama that takes us through situations that are more common than you think: problems of coexistence, as I said, problems of alcoholism, family and even bullying because yes, here we see a lot of that but most of all is the problem that many people are silent and is that of their sexual orientation.
When you understand that context, you will understand why many of the attitudes you will see in the movie. But don't be confused, just because it's slow doesn't mean it's not interesting, on the contrary, it's a very well handled plot with a high level of performances but above all with those plot twists that I like so much. I say this because the ending is fulminant, it is something that you do not see coming at all and that hits you in the head out of nowhere to shake everything you imagined, sincerely the best of this film was its denouement.
One of the things that caught my attention was its photography and scenification in the landscapes, although it is true that I still have a few accounts to see, I think this film is already a candidate for best cinematography. The exteriors of this film are incredible and the interiors even more, all by candlelight or scenes bathed in the western sun, the truth is a 10/10 in that aspect, I enjoyed it very much.
Let's talk about the performances. Seeing Benedict in a role that is not Doctor Strange is something rare, let's not fool ourselves, we are used to that superhero good people and reserved but seeing him in this role TOTALLY different from the vision that many have or have of him is incredible. A character carried in a very TOP way because Cumberbatch is a TOP actor, we already knew it but with this film he ratifies it. And I say well taken because Phil's background is complicated, it is a difficult character, that you hate a lot but with whom you can empathize after you understand where it comes from all that way of being. It's weird but those who saw it will understand me and those who didn't, will understand me too.
And I also want to mention Kirsten, she is a very good actress but sometimes I feel that she is very underrated. But the role she plays here is really good, the typical person who carries a lot of suffering and a very big internal burden and knowing how to carry and manage that requires more willpower than anything else in life. Other characters that are very common in the real day to day life.
In conclusion: we have a very good movie that I think is not for everyone and not to underestimate anyone but that's how I've realized with the critics. But since what matters here is my opinion I say that I really liked it, it is a drama with all its letters but it has a fixed tension throughout the almost two hours, it is like a feeling of discomfort that you know or expect that something inappropriate is going to happen. Great acting, good locations and a very interesting story with a disconcerting ending.
I give it a 7.5/10 because even though it's not a problem, sometimes it was too slow, but only in small passages. You can find it on Netflix and as I said it lasts about two hours. See it, it's worth it, but go prepared. I leave you the trailer as always.
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Bueno mi gente por hoy es todo, espero que les haya gustado. ¡Un abrazo a todos, nos vemos en le próxima!
***Well my people, that's all for today, I hope you liked it. ¡A hug to all of you, see you next time!
