Life Through the Lens: The soul cries out, always searching
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"Bronco Henry told me that a man was made by patience in the odds against him."
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Say what you want about the soul, that sucker has intuition. Yes, it can be misled, and, yes, it can be duped. Sometimes you'll feel it lost, and sometimes you'll nurse it bruised … but, more often than not, your soul is your greatest ally in your attempts to learn, to grow, to create, and to love. How many times in life have you just "felt it?" That is your soul at work!
Soulmate: (noun) when you just KNOW that someone is connected to you on a deeper level, sometimes without even exchanging a single word. Maybe it's the look they give you that sends chills down your bones, maybe it's the too-coincidental first meeting, maybe it's the unending list of things in common. No matter the reason, you know a soulmate when you see one.
Soul-hate: (noun) when you just KNOW that someone is disconnected from you on a deeper level, sometimes without even exchanging a single word. Maybe it's the stank-eye they give you that makes your stomach churn, maybe it's the car-accidental first meeting, maybe it's the unending list of things you hate about them. No matter the reason, you know a soul-hate when you see one (and when you let the air out of their car tires).
Soul-bait: (noun) when you just THINK that someone is connected to you on a deeper level … but they turn out to be the opposite! They give you a look that promises relation, but all they provide is deflation. When the universe orchestrates a chance meeting, you are swept away at their charm but soon find yourself under their harm. The endless similarities become a cancer of irritation and "pick a new album to listen to! This one is driving me crazy!" Sadly, with soul-bait, you won't see it coming … you gotta learn the hard way.
Soul-irritate: (noun) when you have that itch that you just can't reach on the back of your soul! Ahh! You have to do that dance on the door frame just to reach it!
No matter how your soul speaks to you, it is always searching and always seeing.
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Ropin' them steers and tannin' them hides -- the life of a rancher in 1920's Montana is not without its hardships. It isn't entirely void of comforts, though. Two brothers share the prosperous Burbank Ranch: Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) revels in the grunt-work while George (Jesse Plemons) glamorously manages the operation. Phil sweats while George swells. It seems, as the years go by, that the brothers have little to offer each other … besides the ranch itself. Phil is becoming more and more grimy and grizzled while George is leaning heavily into the elegance and proper. Needless to say, their brotherly-bond is at an all-time-low.
On a routine cattle drive, the brothers and their men stop at a town restaurant/inn. Phil seems to have something wrong and totally tears into the owner and is ruthless with her son. He pushes it so hard that tears are shed and doors are slammed … all while Phil grins and accepts the hearty laughter of his crew. George, on the other hand, feels nothing but pathos for this woman and her son; he stays late and attempts to douse the burning-bridge.
As the days pass, Phil continues his work-till-you-drop lifestyle … but George seems to be disappearing in his Model-T almost daily. Turns out, George has been seeing the innkeeper Rose … and is now marrying her! Phil, upon hearing this news … is not happy. Then again … is Phil ever really happy?
Although the ranch-house is huge, Rose's presence is killing Phil. Just knowing she is around, even if unseen, is driving him to a dark and menacing place. When he can, he now spends his time torturing Rose in subtle but impactful ways … and then Rose's son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) moves home for the summer. Sorry, Peter … Phil is a meany-head. Rose's delicacy and Peter's flamboyance are easy targets for the vengeful cowboy. Makes you wonder … why so defensively-aggressive, Phil?
The Power of the Dog is accumulating lots of awards-buzz, so I knew I must watch it. Consider it watched. There was much I liked, but I have some issues.
Writer/director Jane Campion brings a wealth of texture to the film. She has a knack for richness and layer. I have slight issue with her script, though. It is two hours of innuendo without satisfactory answers. The whole film is suggesting, alluding, hinting … but never revealing. That is not entirely without effect … but it felt a bit weak to me. It is hard to rely on that which is never made whole.
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a wonderfully-nuanced performance; he goes from nuisance to nasty at the drop of a hat. He shows fantastic control and depth behind those eyes. Jesse Plemons creates effective empathy while his real-life-wife Kirsten Dunst plays her role well … although loses touch at times. Kodi Smit-McPhee does a notable job playing his character with innocence and genuine mischief.
Cinematographer Ari Wegner creates a beautiful canvas for the movie to work upon. I do wish, however, that Montana would have been used for a movie about Montana -- it is clearly New Zealand. I have nothing against New Zealand -- it is a magically lovely place … but Montana would have created an authenticity and urgency a bit lost in the final product.
When the final credits role, I am satisfied in pieces but left wanting ultimately. Something striking has been stirred...but not quite put to rest.
The Power of the Dog can be streamed right now on Netflix.
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REPORT CARD: The Power of the Dog.
Grade: B-.
Comment: A portrait of quiet dissonance