Have absolutely no problem whatsoever with slow paced/deliberate films, there are actually slow paced films that are favourites of mine and have never been one of those people that has a mindset of if a film is slow paced it is immediately bad. Saw 'The Power of the Dog' as someone who has always admired Benedict Cumberbatch's acting, who has liked some of Jane Campion's other work, appreciates the Western genre and also because of the critical response.
For me, 'The Power of the Dog' was more one of those appreciated it rather than loved it films. There was a lot that was good about it and can see why it has been so acclaimed critically, but can equally totally see why the audience response was much more divisive and actually share a few of the criticisms that have often been cited. Regarding of whether it was deserving of the acclaim, it does have to be said that other films in 2021 connected with me a good deal more and were more accessible, primarily 'Coda' and 'Belfast'.
'The Power of the Dog' does have a lot of good. It is impeccably made visually, with the scenery being quite breath-taking and the film is exquisitely shot with a lot of stylish stylistic choices and atmosphere. Jonny Greenwood's score broods hauntingly. Campion's direction is often exemplary and personally didn't find it self-indulgent on the whole, some of how the turbulent lives of the characters are delved into was quite subtle and she was in full command and understanding of the material.
Moreover, there to me was tension and poignancy, particularly in the middle act, and psychologically the characters are interesting and complex emotionally. It is an astonishingly well acted film, with Cumberbatch's powerhouse performance being a career best and the very moving and not too passive Kirsten Dunst has not been this brilliant in years. Jesse Plemons' work is intense and heartfelt.
On the other hand, 'The Power of the Dog' does have problems. Some of the first half was very sluggish in pace and narratively it did take too long to set up.
Did find too often as well that the dialogue was clunky and didn't really flesh out or explain enough the character decisions and motivations, which were too often confusing and at worst ridiculous. The ending is more an ambiguous whimper that left me feel perplexed and indifferent, a far cry from a film like 'Coda' which had an emotionally devastating last act.
Concluding, a lot to admire but can really understand the widely polarising opinions. 7/10.
For me, 'The Power of the Dog' was more one of those appreciated it rather than loved it films. There was a lot that was good about it and can see why it has been so acclaimed critically, but can equally totally see why the audience response was much more divisive and actually share a few of the criticisms that have often been cited. Regarding of whether it was deserving of the acclaim, it does have to be said that other films in 2021 connected with me a good deal more and were more accessible, primarily 'Coda' and 'Belfast'.
'The Power of the Dog' does have a lot of good. It is impeccably made visually, with the scenery being quite breath-taking and the film is exquisitely shot with a lot of stylish stylistic choices and atmosphere. Jonny Greenwood's score broods hauntingly. Campion's direction is often exemplary and personally didn't find it self-indulgent on the whole, some of how the turbulent lives of the characters are delved into was quite subtle and she was in full command and understanding of the material.
Moreover, there to me was tension and poignancy, particularly in the middle act, and psychologically the characters are interesting and complex emotionally. It is an astonishingly well acted film, with Cumberbatch's powerhouse performance being a career best and the very moving and not too passive Kirsten Dunst has not been this brilliant in years. Jesse Plemons' work is intense and heartfelt.
On the other hand, 'The Power of the Dog' does have problems. Some of the first half was very sluggish in pace and narratively it did take too long to set up.
Did find too often as well that the dialogue was clunky and didn't really flesh out or explain enough the character decisions and motivations, which were too often confusing and at worst ridiculous. The ending is more an ambiguous whimper that left me feel perplexed and indifferent, a far cry from a film like 'Coda' which had an emotionally devastating last act.
Concluding, a lot to admire but can really understand the widely polarising opinions. 7/10.